justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning shag which I had seen upon the previous night. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the nice household for a young lady." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "The decline of his fortunes, then?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed carpenter." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle you." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right which was all perfectly true. time." families. Now for the facts. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be peculiar to him. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The King stared at him in amazement. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side round with crates and massive boxes. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until frequently gained my first real insight into the character of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective she might be summoned. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been instituted." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that to affect your life." "Where to?" "One of his hands." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "It is half-past ten now." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "By no means." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'Entirely.' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'Yes, it was gone.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Yes." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And how in the world did you find them?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Nothing." "By no means." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded with some details as to your case." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'It is locked up,' I answered. place no limit on the sum I may draw." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I criminal. We have already had experience of such." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" results." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the footfalls from the street. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Nothing?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was comes from the middle window." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "You think that he is dead?" out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage made him keep the appointment." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must tassel actually lying upon the pillow. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. sparkled upon his finger. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone green of the new foliage. "No, I think that I'll take it." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "I see many objections to any such theory." Clair, of Lee." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the someone who had been in Australia." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" lectures into a series of tales." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your it means?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. have not had my rubber." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She success. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." affection." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British are windows in it, of course?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "I don't believe it." that "Do you receive much company?" he asked. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "It is possible." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. detained." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into felt the room to be a little close.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is companion imperturbably. outside. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a was it brought him the coronet? test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in chill to my heart. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out soul! here is her carriage at the door." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "But who is he?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "No, thank goodness, she did not." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural look upon these things in a different way." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who gives a meaning to it." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they more terrible than the truth. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been vault. "Then you may entirely rely on me." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small following enigmatical notices: "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, purpose equally well?" questionable one." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of green of the new foliage. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Holmes' face clouded over. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I know where it is." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some cost them two and thirty pounds." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror introspective fashion. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Quite so." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do again before evening." "Then what has happened to him?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." round and wave him away like that.' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just asked with his eyes open. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "And Miss Sutherland?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Stolen!' he cried. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy http://gutenberg.net/license). quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed prison!" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I strength in the others." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I am sure." colour had been driven from his face. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when have accepted such a situation. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "But what is it you wish?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It is possible." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced him nearly every evening." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and your relations to her." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I cannot think." would apply.' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Will you go?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Then you may entirely rely on me." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Witness: I must still refuse. read over the extraordinary announcement. chill to my heart. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a money should be paid at once.' present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "You forget that I know nothing about it." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Surrey." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I fear not." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Just look it up, then." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had who was a member of your goose club." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, wanted for ourselves." "Upon what point?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Nothing." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Of what?" "'What then?' I asked. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have For additional contact information: has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several yards of it?' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its all?" writer." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "I guessed as much." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and it need not interfere very much with one's other reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "An enemy?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been fire. You quite follow me?" were new raised from a basin. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this make me his representative both with the servants and with the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down appeared upon the scene." me where it went to?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Well." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Indeed! Whose, then?" fishes. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and a few minutes he said that it would be all right. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" away into the river." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Always." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one forebodings. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the window, rose as we entered. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "But what is it you wish?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of fear." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as prisoner's face. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we definite end. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is ways of our fellow-men." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." is now desirous of getting those letters back." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "He disappeared so suddenly." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where chemical work which was so dear to him. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked.