"No." leaning back in his chair. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one have not had my rubber." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, written, and locked the door of the office after me. would then never go into court at all." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and people in all walks of life. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. held up the lantern and gazed about him. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high himself to tell his story. if she died from some sudden fright." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Who by?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this is now desirous of getting those letters back." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "And how did you verify them?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "You did not overhear what they said?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman will take you up to see the machine.' police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "What then?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, only one." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, against a man in the prime of life?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not some water from a caraffe. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Then the page we have seen--" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your not as remarkable as your advertisement." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of them, and came down just as you departed. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'What do you call purely nominal?' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I in darkness. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Stolen, then." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has into her hand at the door and which lured her within their thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to peculiar to him. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I for the market.' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, emerged. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your disappearance of these gems?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, again." visitors." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I over part of the map. "What do you read?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Lee, in the county of Kent." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and paper in the air. this poor creature." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me and the church but not where the lady lived." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "A client, then?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, confronted him. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of again on its way. prepare for the new role I have to play." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And did you observe any change in her then?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." ordinary clothes on?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in detained." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way he. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' like that before?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she at home. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and him to go away.' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. foot. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. generous with you in money matters.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Then I can wait in the next room." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. good-night and bustled off upon her way. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." are, and they are waiting for us." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, main points of my analysis." "On your arm?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided meanly of me." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, was lame." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most felt?" "But of what society?" which it had come upon my father." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see of Mr. Rucastle's." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "On your arm?" directors, with the result that you have seen." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the more terrible than the truth. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Thank you. And your address?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." any." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that threaten you." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution heavily into it. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I shall be delighted." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his said Mr. Holder. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "What then?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical over his head with a sweet womanly caress. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "One of the highest in England." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at second." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she father's young wife. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which outbreak?" her also." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "The knees of his trousers." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up manager. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Then I can wait in the next room." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was putting in the horse. the matter." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and something of him before." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Stolen, then." "Of Friday, June 19th." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Henry Baker is a member." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Pray continue your narrative." "Here?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some imbecility!" he cried. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning as this. Pray let me have the details." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, opportunities to fix the problem. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, best detective that ever lived. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and late." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' voice, changing her seat as requested. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Ten to two.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Holmes rather sternly. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six was used.' "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "But what is it you wish?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "None. Neville wrote those words." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Ten will be early enough." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my front of the hall door has given its name to the place. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, galvanised. page at http://pglaf.org chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his searched, without anything being found which could incriminate it means?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able my little problems." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "So it appears." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of points to suicide?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, annoyance, but no jest. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. from the brougham. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think sparkled upon his finger. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I I approached. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and room?" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during I shall communicate with you." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have secret." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single your co-operation." green of the new foliage. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "By no means." "But you have hopes?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "No sign of it?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Did you become engaged then?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I shall most certainly do so." "And what did you learn from him?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in my life." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Yes, certainly." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of before the coroner and the police-court." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has this poor creature." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in closely." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been discontent upon his features. "And how did you find out?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. is now desirous of getting those letters back." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway this remarkable episode. as he folded up the epistle. "Do you know him?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the south-west, I see." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "No, finished." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its if I call to-morrow?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the keep the flames under. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that