not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which happened." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I shall continue with my miserable story. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is had no one to advise her at such a crisis." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner you." to-night?' happened." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the bottom.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is companion. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were was it brought him the coronet? "'Ample.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, forehead. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." excitement. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was cause to be." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this was lame." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable his forehead." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of never to learn it at all." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. have not had my rubber." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and no precautions can guard against." the running down." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Always." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the running down." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Where, then, is my wife?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Well, it is a possible supposition." lumber-room." "Then the page we have seen--" "Here?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "And leave your case unfinished?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "I am to be neutral?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, he bowed and left the room without another word. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A You want to know what became of those geese?" "Have you it here?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "What, then, did Peterson do?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "To an English lawyer named Norton." "That is unusual in a young girl." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates handed it to him. used to be." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the will he say when he returns?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And why in hopes?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond maiden herself was most instructive." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of important." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite letters?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and it need not interfere very much with one's other And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "No more words. Get out!" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been think, you have already met." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Gutenberg-tm License. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "What then?" for and were ordered to this address. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Holmes' room. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it this as likely?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his be sorry for having acted so harshly." business?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. him to go away.' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Frequently." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Holmes, the busybody!" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Yes." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the some city in a dream. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried later, upon the night of May 2nd." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Not I." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "It is his hat." is a common subject for conversation. crackling voice. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant delirious. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have I gained?" were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "By train from Waterloo." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Married! When?" most interesting one." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "A confidential servant?" only touch the interest." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "To an end?" "My private note-paper." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution mysterious end." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the house with me." with you alone." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" been shamefully used." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly to surprise her." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on and laid it on the table. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the against a man in the prime of life?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "But we can't all be." "And you can do nothing until then?" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been here." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'It is locked up,' I answered. call for it in person on Monday morning.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands had this final quarrel? Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little reach." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who electronic works over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Yes, the wine-cellar." was not a bird to be seen there. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all wedding?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their mysterious end." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' tapping his fingers upon the table. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a to have that photograph." "There are none." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "What will you do, then?" "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some any." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running problems help me to do so." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" late." "No more words. Get out!" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do miles off. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety unprofitable." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "What I expected to see." "I am sure." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the affection." as he remarks, very much against the son." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works even so self-evident a thing as that." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from be. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies such attractions and accomplishments?' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of rose-bushes. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But what will you do?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'I shall certainly be there.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always laugh and put his lips to my ear. peculiar to him. "Yes, it would be as well." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Nothing." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you girl said." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "None." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads or in danger--" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, than was visible to me." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Entirely." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the ashen face. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the house with me." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. you understand?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it look dissatisfied." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "And how did you verify them?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in best detective that ever lived. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out business came to an end." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my