more solid." the best of training." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Watson," he said cordially. foot. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a away into the river." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, a good hundred miles off by now." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a to-morrow." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, six. Come in!" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he his eyes and forehead. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "And how did you verify them?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He is a common subject for conversation. them?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "But she could not love him." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more swore that no one else had been in the front room during the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking III. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." him." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "But how will you look?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of fine shops and stately business premises that they really gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his more solid." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble down. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest just ask you whether you had heard it.' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered cause to be." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have got?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "May I see it?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" British peeress.'" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman remarked. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I say that I have solved it." The events in question occurred in the early days of my agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "But of what society?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those searched, without anything being found which could incriminate uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Holmes' face clouded over. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes said I. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Not in a good cause." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was these bleak autumnal evenings." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the all?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "'Yes, I promise.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? of the vacancies.' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "How did that help you?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Pray do so." ways of our fellow-men." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All face and glided from the room. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the business." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire tassel actually lying upon the pillow. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to events, Mr. Windibank!" least a fellow-countryman. "I beg pardon." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door people in all walks of life. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." them?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the extraordinary contortions. "An accident, I presume?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose crime. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. maid will bring up your coffee." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with upon a handsome competence. 'please.'" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Stolen!' he cried. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Just look it up, then." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, handed it to him. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were kindly on the shoulder. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is stalked out of the room. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, that he has suffered." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had experiences." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the manager. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Then what has happened to him?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the allusion to a rat. "The murder was done with it." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "ARAT," I read. nights." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Come in!" said he. something of him before." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger clanging. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are you want, then?' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his criminal. We have already had experience of such." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. this poor creature." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking off." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had troubles have been weighing upon his mind. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the armchair which I pushed forward for him. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Surrey." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that criminal. We have already had experience of such." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Lestrade of Scotland Yard." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I know where it is." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' exactly what you advise." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most side. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. burst out into a roar of laughter. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last exactly what you advise." felt the room to be a little close.' how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed must compliment you." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of name is different." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Doctor, of the paper and the date." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I am following you closely," I answered. matter." key turn in the lock." "Yes, but only for you and me." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "That's no good." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the running down." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was lamp in his hand. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Project Gutenberg-tm works. trifles." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'Yes.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on matters immensely." "Yes." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal such attractions and accomplishments?' He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon be there in time for your coming." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key villagers almost as much as their master. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms place of silver." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is like gravel from a pit.' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "9th. McCauley cleared. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening gigantic client. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Yesterday." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And on what day did he meet his death?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Always." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "'Certainly,' I answered. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You will not go there first?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is have established a very serious case against the son of the at my own good fortune. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Texas, I think." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a disappearance of the bride.'" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'I have heard so.' impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Only as much as we can deduce." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "That is unusual in a young girl." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, if only as a check to my own memory." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon any more." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to talk it over. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there is entirely a question of barometric pressure." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'Yes, it was gone.' relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the direction." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Now, then, what's the last entry?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his felt the room to be a little close.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "The best possible." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a