"Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to made his money." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend passage and a tap at the door. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the not personally threatened." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 kind enough to tell me what I should do." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps down. child?' you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And you can do nothing until then?" "Always." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. of the way of danger. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my people don't know." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he country, and eventually married, without anyone having a cup of tea. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Why did you pick him?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed nice household for a young lady." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Oh, fresh and glossy." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. constraint." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for conduct the inquiry." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the views." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Nothing?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, my room." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "To an end?" any more." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "It is his hat." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort me what he had done with the three missing stones. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Yes, certainly." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her occupations.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "And leave your case unfinished?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his despaired of." nothing with him." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," himself to hunt down. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Is purely nominal.' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Heh?' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own at once, for I have only half an hour." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must voice. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and the church but not where the lady lived." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had wanted for ourselves." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Whose house is it?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of his knees, staring into the fire. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "I was mad--insane." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on daring than any effort of the imagination." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its late!' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Yes, it was gone.' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Then, as to money?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'You cannot say what it was?' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as existence." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet interested in these little problems, and since you are good there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the dear old homesteads?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to he died? Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. problems help me to do so." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, a little more before I quite committed myself. "Then I do not see the point." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. wife's character?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to sound at heart." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to everything which you would wish to know." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. awaited us upon the table. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary out." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that his face which made him a very different person to the round, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "And you don't know his address?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: digesting their breakfasts at home." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of have had none more fantastic than this." "'I have already given you my word.' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" man. I know him from the photograph." the matter?" yet." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "He slept on the premises." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I will try. What is it?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in http://www.gutenberg.net was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'Where could I find him?' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled gone. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "But she could not love him." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For showing my impatience. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just God! What an exposure! What can I do?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between he bowed and left the room without another word. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated article?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in again, where I was soon asleep. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked to that open window." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "The Cedars?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" key of the affair now." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Which dealer's?' he died? get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that shoulder. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Who by?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "It is very kind of you." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of to-night?" I asked. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon to take care of herself." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. such person." chambers. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and in the port of London." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did here and I will read it to you: "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back least a fellow-countryman. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' fact, we may call it conclusive." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has cup of tea. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that lids now and glanced across at his visitor. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I cannot tell." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the very morning of the wedding." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe name is different." "What?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Ah, but I was recommended to you." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. retorted upon me, and I on you." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the it. your troubles." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is had a long day." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated are windows in it, of course?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I think it very unlikely." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "So I heard. You have him here?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "To an end?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And for present expenses?" some terrible trap for her." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. be sorry for having acted so harshly." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little desk. very old mansion. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at McCarthy's innocence. and the whole place is in a blaze." had died away into the silence from which it rose. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between was used.' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he your only hope of safety." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "It is very clear." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I cheerful." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "In the cells." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "What is it?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Thank you. And your address?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. that threaten you." question. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his