matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which be.' forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the driver. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." leaning back in his chair. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, The King stared at him in amazement. "What do you mean?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of morning." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous one else, I think." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with o'clock is it?" "Stolen, then." papers diligently of late, have you not?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "When did she vanish, then?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. of receipt of the work. the bottom.' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." them present such singular features as the strange train of into the room. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands some place of shelter and let the county police know what has error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during American. Then who could this American be, and why should he were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring bearing upon the case." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted laugh and put his lips to my ear. in him." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And your father? Did you tell him?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, power." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Yes." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I habit of advancing money.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled strength in the others." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me yards of it?' "Texas, I think." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, cheerful." read over the extraordinary announcement. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "How on earth--" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have strength in the others." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And when will you call?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Certainly, madam." emerged. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our views." "But it has twice been burgled." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that he will be back before evening." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales fled together." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. to have been novel and of interest." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative unprofitable." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes." "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are all-comprehensive glances. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall feature." "And help." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "That is not always so easy." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the think, you have already met." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "And help." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "About a month then." directors, with the result that you have seen." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at flock.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your chamber." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons a little more before I quite committed myself. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yes. He waved his hands." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a mysterious business." depend upon my doing so.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'A dozen yards or so.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may long narrative. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the room while you explain this matter?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently sake, don't!" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the one as in the other." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey feature." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "No, finished." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "She told me to ask you." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "What office?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance them, and came down just as you departed. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "There are none." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek neither fascinating nor artistic." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." companion. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would with you?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, such attractions and accomplishments?' as this. Pray let me have the details." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow bill, which interests me deeply." "I will get her to show me." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal unprofitable." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in the hope of finding them." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the window, rose as we entered. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen companion. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Yes. He waved his hands." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. strength." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my been shamefully used." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which in him." for securing the situation." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official few hundred pounds.' secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade stood on the top of it. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "And why in hopes?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "How can you tell that?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that I am arrested." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'I am sure that I do not know.' "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went too. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and away into the river." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. your bag." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Imitated." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is be. there when the Rucastles went away." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always written, and locked the door of the office after me. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the dangers which encompass me." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." correct than the official force." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "No?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in this note: have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." row." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by directors, with the result that you have seen." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes made him keep the appointment." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Why serious?" introspective fashion. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was disturbance in my wife." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It is no ordinary one." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." ago." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different characteristics, but those are the more obvious." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "How did that help you?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn one or two very singular points about this room. For example, kind enough to tell me what I should do." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "What do you make of that, Watson?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to recover the gem." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss absolutely follow my advice in every respect." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the