posted to-day." ventilator." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "But how will you look?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of horse could go." Holmes rather sternly. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "But I have heard all that you have heard." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the iron safe, which he closed upon it. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." for securing the situation." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better charge against him will break down." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Eyford at 11:15.' "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said night.' said he. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then what has happened to him?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'And what salary do you ask?' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "I cannot think." "Certainly." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he past. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make whole matter to your consideration." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he off." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Holmes' room. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with present." stood on the top of it. into the bag, and made for the door. young Openshaw's." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about stammered. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the orange pips. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Seven!" I answered. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "He said that you could solve anything." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It is possible." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. obstinate." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "What office?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into recover the gem." 'please.'" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to anything to do with the matter?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and looked back. laugh and put his lips to my ear. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Indeed! Whose, then?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no letters?" front of me. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's must compliment you." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely humiliation." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "So I heard. You have him here?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Ten to two.' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'What, the red-headed man?' purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened papers." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of attention." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "None." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I call you and give you the chance." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Pray continue your narrative." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar followed. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers towards the blaze. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. hand, madam?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he other lovers by making love himself." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other really the only notable feature about the thing." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some cost them two and thirty pounds." tightly behind him. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his I nodded again. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness investigation." neither fascinating nor artistic." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I beg pardon." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was lost nothing by them." daring than any effort of the imagination." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he looking up at the numbers of the houses." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And bearing upon the case." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a straightened it out again. your co-operation." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was seem to you to be relevant or not." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "And on what day did he meet his death?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't in the port of London." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way something of him before." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who mystery!" "You did not overhear what they said?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." annoyance, but no jest. introspective fashion. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Deserted you?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me you." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the were unconscious?" "I see no marks." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though it? Did I buy the geese off you?" look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'Yes, sir.' this as likely?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the Red-headed League." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his matters immensely." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "No." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. trifles." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'As governess?' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from straighten it?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "But what will you do?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. lumber-room." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I relief. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his chamber." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or have established a very serious case against the son of the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Which are?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." I nodded again. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the window, rose as we entered. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "In answer to an advertisement." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Yes, all." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. know that the truth is known." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was The police have openly confessed that they can at present make but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the help us in this matter." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, be. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to go into your room and bar your shutters?" with her." upon the shelf for the interim." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "This photograph!" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just and effective." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account hour?' "We have tried and failed." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the coronet in his hand?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they gone. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I was afraid that you were engaged." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see that you can jump it.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread begin with, and I had not got mine yet." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a kind enough to tell me what I should do." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Stoke Moran." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "And what did you see?" within hail.' between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Have you it here?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I should like to see him very much." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the to some other building. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner once more for Briony Lodge. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Surrey." not personally threatened." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which was all perfectly true. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" http://www.gutenberg.net Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was it means?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "What!" he roared. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to just called myself is not exactly my own." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very persecution?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of This is what he says: and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Mrs. Toller serenely. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" to a light-house. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Certainly not.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless bachelor.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "That is not always so easy." and glanced through. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time point in the dark hollow of his hand. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Never.' when your master had gone out." Eyford." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "What, then, did Peterson do?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way detective. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Her father is very rich?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "What have you to say now?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the throat." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "It is solved." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Game for a morning drive?" not fit the lock." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Why did you pick him?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this to talk it over. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss