"Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit opened the door, and slipped through. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a bill, which interests me deeply." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were maid will bring up your coffee." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the matter?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Holmes rather sternly. we went to search for him, face downward in a little bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "A client, then?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. for and were ordered to this address. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. certainly not very gracious." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would our word." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Then you may entirely rely on me." leave you to your papers for a little." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Yes, sir." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "It was." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'I am sure if I had known--' already been minutely examined." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET then?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near stalked out of the room. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. or other trace. But how on earth--" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and been shamefully used." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "He is dead," cried several voices. "No." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "What! Had he lost his wife?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I should like to see him very much." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & papers." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "No, my brougham is waiting." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "How do you know, then?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. introspective fashion. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, it means?" "Quite so." "Did he not advertise?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Do you know him?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw things are very often connected not with the larger but with the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many interest. They are important, you understand, without being professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted spark where all is dark to me." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all weapon." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel II. the ceiling. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross what these perils are?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set together. three fields round his house, and there he would take his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and points to suicide?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it highly," said Holmes. cigars in their mouths. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the coronet in his hands?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out was a lad." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of ran thus: this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, are, and they are waiting for us." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "An enemy?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "But we can't all be." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last absorbing." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered was shining brightly. cigars in the box." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "The King of Scandinavia." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Certainly." good-night and bustled off upon her way. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who direction." "Quite so." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole McCarthy." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Not social, then?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. will not take me long to tell. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I copied or distributed: said I. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out but preventing her from injuring another. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Serpentine Avenue. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Well." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "My Mary? Impossible!" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "But what harm can there be in that?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your was a loud and authoritative tap. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Project Gutenberg-tm works. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "To an end?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of shaken than I had ever seen him. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." do." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Oh, the cause is excellent!" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'Oh, no.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a observed. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect one which it was hard to resist. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "But how did you gain them?" ashen face. the stable lane now." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Witness: Nothing definite. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so sentimental considerations in the background which would induce room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the business." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some his fortune, and I went back to pa. criminal. We have already had experience of such." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "You think that he is dead?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood him, that man would not have given me such complete information cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "I promise," said Holmes. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Do you know him?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Absolutely?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "What! You do not mean bodies?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the asked. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I guessed as much." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce on re-entering her father's house?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him simple cases which are so extremely difficult." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Your presence might be invaluable." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and looked back. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I answered that I had not. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the not personally threatened." situation." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was client, rising. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Perhaps I have." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I will do it." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Not yet." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" events, Mr. Windibank!" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I in his power. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Have you good authority for what you say?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Holmes, the busybody!" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she definite end. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured thirty. money should be paid at once.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in 1.E.9. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was seen the man in the road." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence other means.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the devil!" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "And when will you call?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Cross for the Continent." the loss of it. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a face and glided from the room. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his carriage. It was a chestnut." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Quite so. She has her freedom." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, one which it was hard to resist. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without before, for it was considerably after midnight. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an