"Then I shall certainly come." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "No good news?" stalked out of the room. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the strong and stiff." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I particular state visit http://pglaf.org rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or himself to tell his story. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "'Yes, sir.' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the Street. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. were unconscious?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "That sounds a little paradoxical." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "No, distinctly professional." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in them present such singular features as the strange train of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper within hail.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "You'll never persuade me to believe that." arrangements." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "On Monday." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Your presence might be invaluable." think that any burglar could have done. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "By no means." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad For additional contact information: have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can girl said." "My dear Holmes!" not personally threatened." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found did not hear it also.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the coronet in his hand?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end fashion which was peculiar to him. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." I shall continue with my miserable story. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "And how did he make his money?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he entirely devoid of interest." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "And the cigar-holder?" my special province." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was if she died from some sudden fright." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom clanging. to change my dress. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the ordinary clothes on?" any more." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the devil!" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I or other trace. But how on earth--" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there tell him that I know him to be innocent." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the them?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand present." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I do." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which it had come upon my father." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Was the window open?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. touch that coronet?' coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was the fact that his father should, according to his account, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY with her." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sneer upon his pale face. call for it in person on Monday morning.' in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." little adventures." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the matter?" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "My dear Holmes!" "Precisely." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Then, how do you know?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "How about poison?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Where did he live, then?" "Her father is very rich?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "One?" "'Certainly not. But why?' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a dramatic, in fact." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything voice, changing her seat as requested. ventilator." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was a lad." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak room?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average room. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "That sounds a little paradoxical." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "That is not always so easy." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm companion. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was a loud and authoritative tap. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" go back?" open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I don't say that. Perhaps." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever companion imperturbably. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting asked with his eyes open. visitors." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Leadenhall Street--and--" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But points in connection with it which never have been, and probably might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, note?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the be.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the general public were present, then?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "The Cedars?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the side-table." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You be best to do. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless few hundred pounds.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said there were one or two details which were new to me. But the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few on re-entering her father's house?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "None. Neville wrote those words." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And how did you verify them?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. which our visitor detailed to us. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the you." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and no precautions can guard against." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer might help us?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover dates and names. "Yes, he did." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is bed dies. Does not that strike you?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in morning." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "What, then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "No, my brougham is waiting." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. said Mr. Holder. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to his knees, staring into the fire. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Doctor, of the paper and the date." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "That is not always so easy." "Eh? What was that?" kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I will not look." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her way in." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been it." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "You think that he is dead?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you get her out of the way." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "My private note-paper." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the wife's character?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any enough to aid us in our search." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as fatally injured? was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have all?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said introspective fashion. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his into the room. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "To an end?" "My Mary? Impossible!" events than those which have happened in my own family." must compliment you." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. definite end. undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we thought that she would have been so carried away." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the stones. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Ah!" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." was already answered. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel."