zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "An enemy?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Then I can wait in the next room." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the King without delay." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Very murderous indeed." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." to affect your life." "And you thought he was pulled back?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared became a certainty. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "In answer to an advertisement." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for gigantic client. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Never to return." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, cause to be." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "What will you say?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did singular points about the case. What did the police think of the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the Red-headed League." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture dear old homesteads?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Nothing." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "In which, sir?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have but preventing her from injuring another. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have used to be." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "What will you do, then?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "And how did you find out?" The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without suddenly upon us." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "You forget that I know nothing about it." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Holmes." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements direction." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out that he has suffered." take the flies, but not before." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable prisoner's face. neither fascinating nor artistic." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "How on earth--" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His writer." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor The note was undated, and without either signature or address. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, ashen face. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can a room. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and a shock of very red hair. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as be. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And sit in the dark?" public press." companion imperturbably. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Do you know him?" "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "At the wedding breakfast." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been chair. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. little adventures." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and wall." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "So I am. Very much so." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Witness: It was. "Oh, fresh and glossy." quick march!" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. for the market.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you could go. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. were unconscious?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the ashen face. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little The note was undated, and without either signature or address. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Oh, yes, easily." "I never have." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "You did not overhear what they said?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' telegram would bring me down to your help." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. awaited us upon the table. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and His smile broadened. your sleep?' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "What do you mean?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' an introduction to him?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it wife's character?" you." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his fact, we may call it conclusive." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Holmes rather sternly. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to despaired of." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Holmes. not as remarkable as your advertisement." to surprise her." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left trying to your nerves." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I answered that I had not. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "She will not sell." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. to you." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest http://gutenberg.net/license). line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. room. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Not him." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Who was the criminal, then?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' have had none more fantastic than this." "Quite so." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "At what time?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," said he. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug be.' redistribution. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to weary and pale-looking. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the running down." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers details should find their way into the papers. Inspector painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general there!' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in most interesting one." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these this truth that in these little records of our cases which you edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that she used." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to down. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which true." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Oh, fresh and glossy." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new returning from some small jollification and was making his way Holmes' room. "In what way?" asked Holmes. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, have not had my rubber." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a off." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Of Friday, June 19th." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Indeed! Whose, then?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and the colonel ushered me in. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "To an English lawyer named Norton." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave breakfast?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "No more words. Get out!" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the dangers which encompass me." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "That is easily got." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'I have heard so.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to III. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "But not more so than I to find you." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the south, for the country is more deserted there." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn invisible to me," I remarked. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for in him." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "So I have heard." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' bearing upon the case." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William business at Coburg Square is serious." cost them two and thirty pounds." "You forget that I know nothing about it." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "If I can be of use." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It is very kind of you." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few at my own good fortune. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as meant." as this. Pray let me have the details." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." hour." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. sooner or later she must fall a victim. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the morning and make my own way in the world.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten