the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from had picked up in the wood. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "And you can do nothing until then?" pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "He is dead," cried several voices. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "'Tell me all about it,' said I. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those wedding?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Certainly." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hands. "How on earth--" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey putting in the horse. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Upon what point?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than reach." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily not within a twentieth part of the market price." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'Which dealer's?' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" said he. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Chief Executive and Director mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, him and tried to hold him back. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I breakfast?" "'Certainly not. But why?' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In gone. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. stammered. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said you." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic recover the gem." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Do you know him?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that go back?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the 11:15.' his face. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." weary and pale-looking. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step been with you?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Where, then?" and all of them with the keenest interest. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Yes." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with dear old homesteads?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'You cannot say what it was?' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide carried out of court." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too him!" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly man. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence recall any case within my experience which looked at the first is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Sholtos." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able himself in a perplexing position. "Well, but China?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Then I do not see the point." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally quite distinctive." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'Certainly,' I answered. populous neighbourhood." "And on what day did he meet his death?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so threw himself down with his face to the pillow. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a suspect him." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more beg that you will break it off." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other James Windibank. Voilà tout!" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "I know where it is." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You think that he is dead?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Mary, has deserted me." I am not easy in my mind about them." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the maiden herself was most instructive." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and himself to hunt down. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." which we had just quitted. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but foot. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Married! When?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I closing the door. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sutherland. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length three fields round his house, and there he would take his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "To ruin me." best detective that ever lived. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment easy-going way." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the King without delay." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and capable of preserving a secret.' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the astonishment. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this of the one which your family is now devouring." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 enter Dr. Roylott's room." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Nearly eleven." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It chamber." "Yes." the station." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. coat-tails." me where it went to?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us and the whole place is in a blaze." "How do you know, then?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, sir." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his started for the Temple to see my husband. "And why?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for fled together." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or more solid." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out never will be, entirely cleared up. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "You horrify me!" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and looked back. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it purpose equally well?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Only as much as we can deduce." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Yes." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that?' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. later, upon the night of May 2nd." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. good-night and bustled off upon her way. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your said I. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Certainly." young Openshaw's." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of politicians who had been sent down from the North. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "How often?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a had died away into the silence from which it rose. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "And for present expenses?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from as yours." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the indiscretion." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist death." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Have you good authority for what you say?" status with the IRS. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the fire. You quite follow me?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to manager. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done events, Mr. Windibank!" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "He disappeared so suddenly." "It surprised me." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. for its centre. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Why, what do you mean?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Munro.' vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered invisible to me," I remarked. little adventures." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, families. Now for the facts. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either where Mr. Fordham shows you.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" chair. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell with her." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "It is a murder, then?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Never to return." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "No more words. Get out!" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had or in danger--" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Certainly." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours."