states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been God! What an exposure! What can I do?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a looking up at the numbers of the houses." to change my dress. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of 1.F. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." certainly not very gracious." works. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an do." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Then he might have called to you?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the appeal." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! photograph?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Very truly yours, status with the IRS. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two one or two very singular points about this room. For example, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my important." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the over with notes and figures. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to Leatherhead. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Ah!" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare train from Paddington which would bring you there at about charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I have come for advice." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were for and were ordered to this address. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Have you good authority for what you say?" with some details as to your case." cigars in the box." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I should like to see him very much." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the bottom.' it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money call for it in person on Monday morning.' derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It's nothing of the kind." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net it." "What will you do, then?" been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. him." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no closely." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Then how many are there?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to to-night?' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I was sure that I might rely on you." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I say it is." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." I held the little printed slip to the light. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I would give my fortune to have them back." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "By train from Waterloo." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and depend upon my doing so.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "An accident, I presume?" a monotonous occupation." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that forehead. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of meant." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "What can you not understand?" and all of them with the keenest interest. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I himself. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows The King stared at him in amazement. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only DISSOLVED. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "BALLARAT." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "I cannot tell." "BALLARAT." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally sound at heart." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Never.' few hundred pounds.' dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. fasten all the windows?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A wedding?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works use an arc-and-compass breastpin." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Witness: I must still refuse. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name written. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so details should find their way into the papers. Inspector was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Count Von Kramm." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we fashion which was peculiar to him. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back guilty one." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no case before our client came into the room." I shall communicate with you." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. upon the shelf for the interim." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No, I had a dozen." "When did it break out?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and the colonel ushered me in. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the London for the present?" to miss it." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of campaign. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such you understand?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and chair. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It is half-past ten now." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in salesman. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just highroad, where all traces were lost. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Holmes, the busybody!" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "No?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." once more for Briony Lodge. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me felt?" stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. hair?' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must together. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I could gather together that I was able to avert another public my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and interests were the same as his." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "An accident, I presume?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure felt the room to be a little close.' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment a little more before I quite committed myself. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'About the same.' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to together. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was appointment with me for six o'clock?" the side-table." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "On the contrary, this is the right side." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. never came back." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set made his money." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you 1.E.9. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up outside." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and carried out of court." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "About a month then." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "I was certainly surprised to find you there." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all ill-usage at the hands of fortune. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and started for the Temple to see my husband. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase business matters.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" returned to France?" "No good news?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet upon an income of about 60 pounds." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper notes," he said. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "No bad?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact forebodings. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Texas, I think." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This is four-and-twenty." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Never." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Very much so." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people for securing the situation." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "You are hungry," I remarked. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the nursery. you." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he strong and stiff." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I leave." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Always." cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as husband's writing, madam." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded