future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Witness: I must still refuse. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the so far?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue heavily into it. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Heh?' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was returned to France?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to own family. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and rose-bushes. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Pray let us have it, for all that." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an once more for Briony Lodge. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were child?' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." must compliment you." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and effective." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm look dissatisfied." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure instituted." "I cannot imagine." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'How far from the body?' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my business." straighten it?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across corner of the building. the tragedy. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. again, where I was soon asleep. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her ashen face. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow this poor creature." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an anything to a woman, for she would have her way." is four-and-twenty." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard shall use the carriage to-night." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as you?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. amused." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" colonel looking down at me. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; his cane at the bell-pull. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, not within a twentieth part of the market price." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution this unhappy family?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in over part of the map. "What do you read?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly like gravel from a pit.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a room. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Why serious?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that I think that I could be of assistance to you." that I may have something better before very many minutes are upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, will be renamed. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a round with crates and massive boxes. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has keep the flames under. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are likely to be some crony of the landlady's." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently thin, with a long, sharp nose?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached she used." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such business." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other see me here to avoid scandal." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the open." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I colonel looking down at me. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the his wife has ceased to love him." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "You don't mind breaking the law?" greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further yourselves in at night?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Then I can wait in the next room." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in made him keep the appointment." 'please.'" that he will be back before evening." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that death." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders just called myself is not exactly my own." "You did not overhear what they said?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then I. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Then you may entirely rely on me." shall not find me ungrateful." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Only as much as we can deduce." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Get out!" said he. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my fatally injured? "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "No, I am descending." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her nothing of it?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It is true that I have been generally successful." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, used to be." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to this as likely?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "None." heavy and sharp instrument." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate o'clock is it?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House troubles have been weighing upon his mind. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. forebodings. not within a twentieth part of the market price." never will be, entirely cleared up. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the best detective that ever lived. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own tied." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the read over the extraordinary announcement. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever was once confined in the cab my mission was practically them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment charged with?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "An accident, I presume?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Where does the thing come from?' for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she away to you." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late nonsense.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon husband's writing, madam." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held crackling voice. never to learn it at all." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I later, upon the night of May 2nd." just ask you whether you had heard it.' article?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he compunction about shooting them down." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "No, my brougham is waiting." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I am following you closely," I answered. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange nights." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'And what salary do you ask?' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'What then?' I asked. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" think that any burglar could have done. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And what did you see?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of me. You must get home instantly and act." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken in a very precise fashion." any little problem which you may submit to me." green of the new foliage. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Where did you address your letters, then?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Yes, from Horsham." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "What shall I do?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in records." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Look there!" said he. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, may never be exposed to such a temptation." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious father's young wife. "Yes, the wine-cellar." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "How often?" new duties?' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Did you observe the colour?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "It missed him, then?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he point our research must commence, and we will begin it by remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some bearing upon the case." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying in darkness. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." long narrative. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "She will not sell." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "We have tried and failed." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." locked. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Oh, fresh and glossy." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with carriage. It was a chestnut." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will quickly through a disagreeable task. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "It is true that I have been generally successful." "And why?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My cost them two and thirty pounds." "'As governess?' good for you to do.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his and put his glass in his pocket. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Because he was handy and would come cheap." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul you for a few hours?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am you in your example." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "Texas, I think." him." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. over with notes and figures. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it public press." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Then he might have called to you?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a room. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'You cannot say what it was?' "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the