sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. death." which our visitor detailed to us. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has events than those which have happened in my own family." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid south, for the country is more deserted there." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon politicians who had been sent down from the North. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and I shall be with you presently." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The events in question occurred in the early days of my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It was." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent occupations.' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "But of what society?" "Yes, sir." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing hands. one's self under obligations.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Nor running a chance of arrest?" coroner's jury." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "An enemy?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest dates and names. room had already been engaged for us. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and that he would see to anything that turned up. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until very morning of my second wedding." "None." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than respectable self." over here." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears hour?' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Foundation in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather sound at heart." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But how?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "You have but to name it." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with second window is the one that I jumped from." on in his house." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Where, indeed?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free friend's singular character. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an was it brought him the coronet? infinite languor in his face. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her important." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Then I do not see the point." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a hard-headed British jury." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "My Mary? Impossible!" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I am armed." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One look upon these things in a different way." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his chill to my heart. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" ventilator." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull you." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." room?" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "But how?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning because she had spent so short a time in this country that she 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in chill to my heart. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There relief. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'I am sure that I do not know.' "You know me, then?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon back alive. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for enter Dr. Roylott's room." me. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Thank you. And your address?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "What steps will you take?" I asked. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very salesman. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were may have an influence upon European history." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to take care of herself." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and maid will bring up your coffee." letters?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary tell them apart.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "An enemy?" his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "It is his hat." own family. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'It is locked up,' I answered. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an gigantic client. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 guilty one." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. been with you?" "Holmes, the busybody!" the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing detective. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely towards the blaze. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and all of them with the keenest interest. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You horrify me." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Married! When?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "That is easily got." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "And why in hopes?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. records." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she right! Sit down and let us talk it over." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, appeared upon the scene." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, have accepted such a situation. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning lips." existence." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a excitement. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Oh, yes, easily." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the horse could go." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." any more." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view back alive. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I know where it is." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "At the wedding breakfast." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then me. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Did you become engaged then?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and outsides of the windows. outside. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence rat could hardly pass through." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Was there a secret marriage?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to been deceived." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for jewels which you have stolen?' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and a shock of very red hair. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the and that he would see to anything that turned up. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I shall use the carriage to-night." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I will get her to show me." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I dates and names. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He pound a week." "Where, then, is my wife?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" man. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "What office?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As me. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "No, my brougham is waiting." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and a shock of very red hair. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very cigar and let me expound." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken papers on the sundial.'" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "It's nothing of the kind." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Sutherland. "You have the photograph?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Nothing?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after know what is wrong with it.' if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "There is the writing." "But what harm can there be in that?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'And the work?' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Proceed, then." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and I shall be with you presently." dear old homesteads?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my in his power. unclasping of his long thin hands. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped tapping his fingers upon the table. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Where to?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "She showed me, as I told you she would." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the