"We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you conclusions. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. crime. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I am about to be married." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." like gravel from a pit.' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "But how could you guess what the motive was?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' wedding?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Absolutely?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's delirious. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties lumber-room." criminal. We have already had experience of such." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE against a man in the prime of life?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I province." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged fact, we may call it conclusive." advice." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but even so self-evident a thing as that." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at this poor creature." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is introspective fashion. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for detective. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, gives a meaning to it." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little it means?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That not come at once?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "In answer to an advertisement." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be your equipment. "Yes, certainly." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Perhaps I have." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and laid it on the table. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "How on earth--" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "So I am. Very much so." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" second." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: away into the river." "Well." "And you thought he was pulled back?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "When did it break out?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Breckinridge is his name." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "No, thank goodness, she did not." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to take care of herself." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My sufficient punishment." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But she will refuse." "Certainly, madam." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "9th. McCauley cleared. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something him nearly every evening." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a conclusions. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "About a month then." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. to talk it over. "But how?" will not take me long to tell. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if second." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed him and tried to hold him back. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the purpose equally well?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & front of the hall door has given its name to the place. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Farm upon the left." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "What then?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. hand, madam?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "When did she vanish, then?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What jewels which you have stolen?' which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of did not hear it also.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first client, rising. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I should like to see him very much." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just is entirely a question of barometric pressure." excitement. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Holmes' room. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, with her." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way likely to be some crony of the landlady's." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, crime." "But we can't all be." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Indeed! Whose, then?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "None." visitors." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their asked with his eyes open. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand all?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, know that the truth is known." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by is four-and-twenty." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of status with the IRS. or other trace. But how on earth--" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to weapon." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide drawing your inferences." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, there has been an enclosure here!" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any tail." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite important." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I vault. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "But you would not advise me to refuse?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has his face which made him a very different person to the round, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which forehead. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You will not go there first?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to surprise her." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was dear old homesteads?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, III. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a tell them apart.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them not as remarkable as your advertisement." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head been anything against him. He had for years been known as a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my at once, for I have only half an hour." "She showed me, as I told you she would." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who case-book, which he consulted. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "9th. McCauley cleared. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the room while you explain this matter?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover delirious. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "How did you trace it, then?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "No, finished." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were shall use the carriage to-night." "Then, as to money?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. him and tried to hold him back. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Holmes rather sternly. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the armchair which I pushed forward for him. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. was already answered. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so fuss that is made over them." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our against a man in the prime of life?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no DISSOLVED. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of already referred to. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than down. empty. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." he. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a for securing the situation." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The troubles have been weighing upon his mind. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away made his money." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the invisible to me," I remarked. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind said he. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I cannot think." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It away in different directions, and I went off to make my own a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "You think so, too?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which have had none more fantastic than this." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst of the way of danger. strong reason behind." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest introspective fashion. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack!