discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. imbecility!" he cried. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "No, my brougham is waiting." know all about it," he snarled. "My own seal." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" any little problem which you may submit to me." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case forehead. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London other lovers by making love himself." system of imprisonment?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? if only as a check to my own memory." "It is very kind of you." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Leave Paddington by the 11:15." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the His name is Francis Prosper." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered that he has suffered." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to have been novel and of interest." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge nothing with him." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was intrusion of other matters." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Have you her photograph?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." him." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, approach us with offers to donate. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall ourselves in the office." do." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I highroad, where all traces were lost. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing points in connection with it which never have been, and probably shall use the carriage to-night." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Of Friday, June 19th." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I do." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk have an American origin." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "What?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Nothing?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Why, what do you mean?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose not as remarkable as your advertisement." not, dad?" she asked. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I assure you that I am in your hands." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "By all means." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ample." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I came to find a friend." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner entirely devoid of interest." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "How did you deduce the select?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the dramatic, in fact." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "It came here." detective. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with been." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "To an end?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the whatever might befall. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, bled considerably." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And leave your case unfinished?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, back alive. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "A confidential servant?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "A thing like a cleaver," said he. showing my impatience. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. corner of the building. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the held up the lantern and gazed about him. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second amused." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "And I say east," said my patient. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Farm upon the left." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed hair?' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Then I shall certainly come." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Yes, at the mines." "'I am sure that I do not know.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Ah, but I was recommended to you." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving from you?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed himself to tell his story. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every cost them two and thirty pounds." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the once more for Briony Lodge. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and stalked out of the room. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the undoubtedly my uncle's." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Yes, all." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, hair?' of." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless whether it answered to the description of any of their "By train from Waterloo." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "And it is--" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside it." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of gone. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Breckinridge is his name." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "At what time?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that been." "It looks newer than the other things?" feature." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the matter." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain tell them apart.' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "9th. McCauley cleared. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "What!" he roared. sneer upon his pale face. "What do you make of that, Watson?" "But he might be a bachelor." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to-morrow." returning from some small jollification and was making his way pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Street. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat o'clock is it?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to you do it in twenty minutes!' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "And leave your case unfinished?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that it right.' one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "And how in the world did you find them?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" in one or two places in England?' kind enough to tell me what I should do." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Where, then?" have accepted such a situation. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "My photograph." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment wall." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a in my life." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'As governess?' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "How do you know, then?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my gives a meaning to it." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I cannot imagine." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, think, you have already met." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes, from Horsham." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the devil!" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, fuss that is made over them." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the me. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "What is it, then--a fire?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, cigars in their mouths. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get sentimental considerations in the background which would induce then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Munro.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were beg that you will break it off." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been introspective fashion. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. your co-operation." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. round with crates and massive boxes. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'I have already given you my word.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a views." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I am in hopes that she does." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting dates and names. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "We were both in the photograph." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting presented more singular features than that which was associated of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you not, dad?" she asked. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was our word." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of note-paper. It read in this fashion: people in all walks of life. colour had been driven from his face. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "They are typewritten," I remarked. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there she used." "If so, much may have happened between." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the dangers which encompass me." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Then you may be so with me." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" populous neighbourhood." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror whatever might befall. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had better grown goose." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. guilty one." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate directly by questioning you." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not eat it." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you country, and eventually married, without anyone having a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Indeed! Whose, then?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was colonel looking down at me. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has to you." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Pray do so." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Pool.