twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "No bad?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in over part of the map. "What do you read?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. annoyance, but no jest. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my what these perils are?" carpenter." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Has he come with you to-night?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the go from here to the Strand." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is but preventing her from injuring another. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one dates and names. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. like that before?" putting in the horse. "How many? I don't know." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "That also I could fathom." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty seven miles from Eyford Station.' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was nothing of it?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man examine." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety gentleman's clothes. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But I am all in the dark." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "No bad?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the is four-and-twenty." minor matters until to-morrow." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers minor matters until to-morrow." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to galvanised. "I would pay ten." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "What is it, then--a fire?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Absolutely none." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety of the way of danger. mystery may be cleared along those lines." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Just look it up, then." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "He said too much." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that individual and becomes the badge of a society." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My photograph." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," cost them two and thirty pounds." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. bearing upon the case." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'Certainly not. But why?' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a might help us?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "What do you mean?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the nursery. young Openshaw's." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the station." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock delirious. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed have an American origin." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "He is dead," cried several voices. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "In what way?" asked Holmes. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "The decline of his fortunes, then?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You'll never persuade me to believe that." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I fear not." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Stolen." there has been an enclosure here!" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Dr. Gregory B. Newby their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "How did he come?" chair. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "You forget that I know nothing about it." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather door?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly meant it for the best. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "And you thought he was pulled back?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Witness: It was. "Certainly." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons foresight and the moral retrogression?" habit of advancing money.' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving tension within him. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' appeared upon the scene." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you have I gained?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and His name is Francis Prosper." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of you." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in fire. You quite follow me?" XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and have this put in the evening papers." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the leave you to your papers for a little." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I have seen the police." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw fatally injured? however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." hour?' "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," lids now and glanced across at his visitor. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But of what society?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Your French gold?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. forbidden door. heavily into it. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At grasp, he hurried from the room. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with sit on the left-hand side of the driver." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Sholtos." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Will you go?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. fear." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." the bed, and you in that chair." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Pray do so." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "His face fell immediately. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand too. excitement. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the should be taken.' "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in the hope of finding them." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made writing, and yet I know it well." the inner apartment." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer on re-entering her father's house?" so far?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "You did not overhear what they said?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "It is very kind of you." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, bell. Holmes whistled. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man fuss that is made over them." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at some city in a dream. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "'Certainly,' I answered. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "My private note-paper." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as goes." "My opinion is in no way altered." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him morning." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his that I am arrested." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I do." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Witness: It was. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and written. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'Is purely nominal.' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect I nodded to show that I had heard. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "This photograph!" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was your co-operation." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his delighted to hear it," he said. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their depend upon my doing so.' said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The presented which may be striking and bizarre without being intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was with you?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there his grey eyes. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight indiscretion." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss held up the lantern and gazed about him. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Street. envelope. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the never to learn it at all." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted your billet.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am are windows in it, of course?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, is four-and-twenty." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. not within a twentieth part of the market price."