me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "By no means." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. my special province." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through with her." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "It is a murder, then?" more terrible than the truth. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up is acting for the best. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "The murder was done with it." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "So I heard. You have him here?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. this man was intellectual?" all-comprehensive glances. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps advice." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "How did you trace it, then?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took written. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you his forehead." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Get out!" said he. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save there were one or two details which were new to me. But the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. page at http://pglaf.org certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though which was all perfectly true. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Then, as to money?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "But how?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the salesman. Have you good authority for what you say?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up pressing in one house as in another. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were he bowed and left the room without another word. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger gentleman's clothes. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "No, my brougham is waiting." sofa. This way, please!" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Get out!" said he. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's least a fellow-countryman. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I think that it is very probable." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Ample." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting go back?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in one which it was hard to resist. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back bare slabs of marble. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no whether it answered to the description of any of their really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" through." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not train.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran sofa. This way, please!" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, deduce something from that?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I have solved it." "What will you do, then?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. companion. mystery!" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the coronet at all injured?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief photograph?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some interest. They are important, you understand, without being governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural all?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is 1.F. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock said he, "my real name is James Ryder." to a light-house. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "But how could you guess what the motive was?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and danger is over." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, held up the lantern and gazed about him. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "I answered that I had not. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better outside. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock all-comprehensive glances. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "No, thank goodness, she did not." was keenly on my guard against him. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to interested in these little problems, and since you are good usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "You have but to name it." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as of it with the greatest attention. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in stepfather?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by with you alone." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary back into the street. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "But you were on a friendly footing?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Foundation which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, learned something! Where are the gems?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Yes." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "And why?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I him!" "And Miss Sutherland?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was upon a handsome competence. was a lad." Street. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the nursery. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well cigar and let me expound." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the fuss that is made over them." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the Red-headed League." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found this poor creature." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last paper in the air. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay have one." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I beg pardon." McCarthy's innocence. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close place of silver." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of helping a boy to put up the shutters. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours of the vacancies.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open business matters.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said business." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own villagers almost as much as their master. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the never will be, entirely cleared up. papers diligently of late, have you not?" them?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Where did he live, then?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the few hundred pounds.' some city in a dream. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "What then?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "No sign of it?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint 11:15.' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, guilty parties." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. the loss of it. spare." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And what did you learn from him?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the general public were present, then?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, get the tickets." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, when your master had gone out." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the business matters.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Where is it, then?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Where, indeed?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. appeared upon the scene." hereditary King of Bohemia." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. keep the flames under. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Stoke Moran?" said he. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the floor. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You saw the ventilator, too?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Sutherland?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned hour." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between weary and pale-looking. to-night?' "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the stones. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's nothing of it?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'You cannot say what it was?' "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very your troubles." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." flock.' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he felt the room to be a little close.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in his hands." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly your billet.' "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he served to weaken the effect. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Nearly eleven." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Then let me do so?' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "And how did you verify them?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I am still in the dark." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? think, you have already met." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "But the mystery?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Proceed, then." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "It is possible." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime. it with his own hands." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It is very clear." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six had formerly been in part my own. lost his Christmas dinner." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the nursery. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my forecastle of an emigrant ship. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I should like to see him very much." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "The rest you will leave in our hands." carpenter." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. enough to aid us in our search." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I correct than the official force." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, may never be exposed to such a temptation." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave