invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "But who is he?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I know where it is." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major had died away into the silence from which it rose. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to a light-house. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I will be renamed. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Oh, the cause is excellent!" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Not particularly." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the chemical work which was so dear to him. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his clang of the bell. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the has little to do with my story." "Yes?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Yes, I promise.' Foundation He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "Quite so." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "And from a noble client?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit who was a member of your goose club." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and that he would see to anything that turned up. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Why serious?" are, and they are waiting for us." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is true that I have been generally successful." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, green of the new foliage. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "That is unusual in a young girl." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Why did you pick him?" "No, finished." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then congenial hunt. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Entirely.' form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Now, then, what's the last entry?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Yes." shall use the carriage to-night." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into it." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his fuss that is made over them." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Holmes' thin, eager face. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had leave you to your papers for a little." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, interests were the same as his." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the night.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an meant." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "On Monday." "Then how many are there?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of think, you have already met." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "I am about to be married." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Is he quiet?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get to tell." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Where did you address your letters, then?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I don't believe it." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "How did you deduce the select?" Gutenberg-tm License. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Whose house is it?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Cross for the Continent." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest purpose of examination. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "And what did you learn from him?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of this gang." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Deserted you?" murdered man." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced where we are going." call for it in person on Monday morning.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Of what day?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room showing my impatience. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Where, indeed?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I cannot say that I have." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Upon what point?" "It certainly sounds feasible." bachelor.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to his chemical studies. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'No, I know no one in these parts.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making overpowering excitement and concern. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "And what then?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Thank you. Pray proceed." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon just ask you whether you had heard it.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted system of imprisonment?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do room?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying over here." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he joking. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could I approached. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Certainly not.' safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his sofa. This way, please!" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house that I can to serve you." dear old homesteads?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But His smile broadened. "And the murderer?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared tightly behind him. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. leaning back in his chair. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the him to be an active member of the medical profession." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and your relations to her." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the appeal." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And now?" I asked. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to have that photograph." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to business?" "Which are?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "BALLARAT." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "That is easily got." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "No." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the even so self-evident a thing as that." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Why? What do you mean?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of British peeress.'" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "And leave your case unfinished?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were frequently gained my first real insight into the character of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was ways including including checks, online payments and credit card allusion to a rat. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault redistribution. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of the efforts of the United States government and of the better scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Do you know him?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Where to?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper the address that was given us in the advertisement. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the galvanised. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed fattened it expressly for you.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were once more for Briony Lodge. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the coroner come to?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Mrs. Toller serenely. His name is Francis Prosper." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the McCarthy's innocence. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off four million human beings all jostling each other within the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it nothing with him." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "That also I could fathom." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his sneer upon his pale face. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Most admirably.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He you came in." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the inner apartment." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was