least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I never have." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only The events in question occurred in the early days of my Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "And what then?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "'A dozen yards or so.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "VIOLET HUNTER." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the all-comprehensive glances. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Certainly." and all of them with the keenest interest. amused." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Yes?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Oh, the cause is excellent!" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very for securing the situation." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. be.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, coroner's jury." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance there has been an enclosure here!" in a friendly supper." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done said I. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I cannot imagine." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Sutherland?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project criminal. We have already had experience of such." "That sounds a little paradoxical." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a is acting for the best. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and that he would see to anything that turned up. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." advice." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat breakfast?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I answered that I had not. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "No, but the enclosure is." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "And I to find an enemy." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of his shoulders. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the best detective that ever lived. your troubles." morning." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "I fear not." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Yes." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Do you receive much company?" he asked. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'A dozen yards or so.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Why did you beat the pavement?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "My dear Holmes!" "To the police?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them be best to do. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was forbidden door. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "In heaven's name, what for?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of crowd. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'And what are they worth?' I asked. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." she used." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the looking up at the numbers of the houses." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But what is it you wish?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very of." breakfast." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Stolen, then." lectures into a series of tales." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as few hundred pounds.' now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes you for a few hours?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up disappearance of the bride.'" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Certainly not. But why?' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the several quiet little villages up there." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the think that he is innocent?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a affection." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Was the window open?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and may never be exposed to such a temptation." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "What, then?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a Again Holmes raved in the air. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And I say east," said my patient. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "They are typewritten," I remarked. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." II. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "What, then?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders sound at heart." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly do." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "And Irene Adler?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child memory. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man speckled band?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ passage and a tap at the door. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Heh?' that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Holmes, the busybody!" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. I leave." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was him to go away.' respectable self." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Not him." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat which it had come upon my father." "Yes. He waved his hands." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "In San Francisco, a year ago." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a hopeless attempt at recovering them." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It prove to be little relation between the different incidents of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. delirious. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the colour had been driven from his face. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Yes. He waved his hands." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Of Friday, June 19th." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Texas, I think." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a passage and a tap at the door. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight woven round him. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see one of the states of the Union." "But who is he?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had intimate personal affairs in this public manner." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the ceiling. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lost nothing by them." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they money should be paid at once.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Yes, only one." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Eh? What was that?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" other means.' and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until telegram would bring me down to your help." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Certainly." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some some water from a caraffe. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit I have it here in my museum." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in suspect him." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant The King stared at him in amazement. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room like gravel from a pit.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, father's young wife. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the inquest, and which are worth considering." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had fat-encircled eyes. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of me. "On Monday." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, the bed, and you in that chair." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I fear not." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of crackling voice. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant your equipment. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of depend upon your compliance." foot. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a himself in a perplexing position. "At the wedding breakfast." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and it need not interfere very much with one's other with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the breakfast." shall use the carriage to-night." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl you."