to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord said he at last. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular little trying to do so much typewriting?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason completely overtopped every other consideration that we both has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my any more." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "No, thank goodness, she did not." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have once more to my work. visitors." not fit the lock." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by it with his own hands." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they character. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not arms and began to sob in a high treble key. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. mysterious end." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the and the whole place is in a blaze." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I think that I could be of assistance to you." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. be. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I should be immensely obliged to you." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very read over the extraordinary announcement. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." stammered. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I nodded to show that I had heard. conclusions. views." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly a monotonous occupation." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "What is it, then--a fire?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the business." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'Certainly not. But why?' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I comes from the middle window." away into the river." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches papers must be those that are destroyed.' "You heard nothing yourself last night?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally salesman. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "No. His orders were to stay in the house." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I approached. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "He said that you could solve anything." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the introspective fashion. future lives." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She stalked out of the room. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same guilty one." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of if I call to-morrow?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank instituted." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and as yours." could go. up this clue while it is still hot." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "And I." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. fattened it expressly for you.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, train.' world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five without success. At last the little money which I had saved began see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Yesterday." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, salesman. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "10th. John Swain cleared. vanished into the darkness. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which out." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his written, and locked the door of the office after me. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it your equipment. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my because she had spent so short a time in this country that she sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Arthur Conan Doyle however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I nodded again. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared advice." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and tell him that I know him to be innocent." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "What will you do, then?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He side. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. burst out into a roar of laughter. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, have one." wall." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler His name is Francis Prosper." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "He slept on the premises." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there girl said." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the went to the Alpha were town bred." not, dad?" she asked. as the one I chose?' flock.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, thought that she would have been so carried away." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the official police." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very to that open window." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were national property. I was determined that the law should have its He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" a little more before I quite committed myself. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Was your sister dressed?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." so.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive you understand?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That business." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Come in!" said he. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! enough to aid us in our search." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried said Mr. Holder. "One of the highest in England." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the wedding?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, do.' which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." your equipment. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Will you bet, then?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads nothing of it?" "Is he quiet?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself followed. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a it." This is what he says: passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of examine." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's and put his glass in his pocket. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you written. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Well?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for overpowering excitement and concern. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hands. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Really! You surprise me." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' made him keep the appointment." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Texas, I think." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his despaired of." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, him nearly every evening." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "What! a murderous attack?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." matter." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Not in a good cause." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers your own bird, so if you wish--" cigars in the box." "I do." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "No, I had a dozen." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and imbecility!" he cried. key of the affair now." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 direction." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very events than those which have happened in my own family." "'Is purely nominal.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but second window is the one that I jumped from." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the address that was given us in the advertisement. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Then I do not see the point." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past disappearance of the bride.'" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "'Never,' said I. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the disappearance of the bride.'" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. at my own good fortune. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is," said he presently: "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" dates and names. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a cigars in the box." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper fluttered off among the others. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was appointment with me for six o'clock?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Have you good authority for what you say?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She other, as fresh and trim as possible. imbecility!" he cried. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his yards of it?' "Frequently." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and shaken than I had ever seen him. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came developed." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and money should be paid at once.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are other lovers by making love himself." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have opened the door, and slipped through. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting late." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who he bowed and left the room without another word. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am this man was intellectual?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys be. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his said he.