remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at absorbing." miles off. and looked back. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a country, and eventually married, without anyone having a system of imprisonment?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At shall not find me ungrateful." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'Yes, it was gone.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Could he throw no light?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would bonnet, and went out." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had my special province." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." could not have written that. It is the German who is so as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "None." my secret was safe in his possession. page at http://pglaf.org recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and the church but not where the lady lived." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was this truth that in these little records of our cases which you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so suddenly upon us." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. him, that man would not have given me such complete information from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the client, rising. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Surrey." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Entirely." must compliment you." matter." cigar and let me expound." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "If I can be of use." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Very much so." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was feeling which was the fattest.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it had no one to advise her at such a crisis." opportunities to fix the problem. he bowed and left the room without another word. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "But his lameness?" indiscretion." it with his own hands." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had whatever might befall. confronted him. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the room while you explain this matter?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I should wish to." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and no precautions can guard against." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's little adventures." to affect your life." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I should like to see him very much." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Has he come with you to-night?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. too. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "10th. John Swain cleared. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "What, then, did Peterson do?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I observed. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," vault. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing himself to tell his story. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a himself in a perplexing position. "But what is it you wish?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "And your father? Did you tell him?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Yes." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the Assizes." "He is dead," cried several voices. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his in his power. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated opened the door, and slipped through. "ARAT," I read. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Not I." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'You doubt its value?' he asked. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of row." was a perfect sample of the class. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my this as likely?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "The Coroner: What do you mean? "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." fat-encircled eyes. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a directors, with the result that you have seen." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the know all about it," he snarled. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the photograph?" "Very murderous indeed." grasp, he hurried from the room. "I will not look." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the devil!" "What office?" from you?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Thank you. And your address?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Of Friday, June 19th." indeed happy." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged all-comprehensive glances. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need goes." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" golden eyeglasses. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." with some details as to your case." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and your billet.' cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become such person." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "That is not always so easy." people don't know." chill to my heart. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "None. Neville wrote those words." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would relation between them, and what the object of his repeated deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly away into the river." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is there." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the bottom.' would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Yes." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes his eyes and forehead. chambers. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled your only hope of safety." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Was she in good spirits?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Frequently." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of village inn over there?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your room?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" there is a decided draught." washing it down with a long draught of water. "My stepfather's business papers." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "What! You do not mean bodies?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, are, and they are waiting for us." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking seen the man in the road." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put daring than any effort of the imagination." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered galvanised. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Stolen, then." really the only notable feature about the thing." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive are, and they are waiting for us." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "The vanishing of the lady." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. hurried away. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I do." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Yes, from Horsham." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the matter?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural are, I think, all that we need." instituted." depend upon your compliance." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Eyford." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three country, and eventually married, without anyone having a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my them, and came down just as you departed. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to it." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Farm upon the left." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "10th. John Swain cleared. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "It is his hat." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade relation between them, and what the object of his repeated news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We girl said." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without have got?" "But I am all in the dark." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, been." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat guilty parties." "It is very clear." he. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of in a very precise fashion." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "A client, then?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Then you may entirely rely on me." and laid it on the table. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a said he at last. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in assist you in forming an opinion." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us troubles have been weighing upon his mind. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled in a friendly supper." man. I know him from the photograph." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Pope's Court. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. tear off another piece?' admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and wait." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so of note-paper. It read in this fashion: eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Perfectly so." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and nothing with him." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. is worth.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." knowledge of the world." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. indeed happy." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to depend upon my doing so.' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "You are all wrong." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Perfectly so." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the is so. I know all about McCarthy." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Then how many are there?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "We must sit without light. He would see it through the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Was the window open?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "What!" he roared. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." way in everything. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his