Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Will you go?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Nothing." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Deserted you?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "How did you deduce the select?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is locked. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "What is it?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It must be recovered." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You forget that I know nothing about it." in his hands." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'As governess?' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to light and attacked it." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Get out!" said he. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's room had already been engaged for us. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah could not account in any way for the presence of the missing face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for leave you to your papers for a little." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Why? What do you mean?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "No." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "And is that all?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred My friend smiled. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The best possible." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "'I am sure that I do not know.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the upon a handsome competence. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the that you wished to speak to me?' them?" as he remarks, very much against the son." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off will he say when he returns?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "I should like to see him very much." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "The murder was done with it." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her comes from the middle window." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I the dangers which encompass me." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my against a man in the prime of life?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "You know me, then?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and chamber." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "To the police?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very even so self-evident a thing as that." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both forebodings. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "None. Neville wrote those words." records." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear highly," said Holmes. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a plantation.' "You forget that I know nothing about it." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "My last client of the sort was a king." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "None." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and no precautions can guard against." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that appointment with me for six o'clock?" "You will not go there first?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who you want, then?' my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. upon an income of about 60 pounds." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant chambers. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Again Holmes raved in the air. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Was she in good spirits?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled more solid." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was that he has suffered." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of salesman. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Yes, from Horsham." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope night.' said he. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Ample." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which friends, not even his own brother. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the night.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "I have hopes." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "And now?" I asked. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father silent! Oh, he will be silent!' both be extremely obliged.' pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "You horrify me." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at your most interesting statement." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might before, for it was considerably after midnight. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' promised to bring home. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in fled together." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to his chemical studies. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the driver. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Does that suggest anything?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "By no means." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Never." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the morning and make my own way in the world.' written, and locked the door of the office after me. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I whereabouts. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. good for you to do.' "I say that I have solved it." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project God! What an exposure! What can I do?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had but preventing her from injuring another. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You point our research must commence, and we will begin it by months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. discontent upon his features. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a clang of the bell. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He shoulder; "he's all right." them?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "And sit in the dark?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Yes, it was gone.' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Where did he live, then?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. views." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." o'clock is it?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the second." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads brandy and water within his reach. status with the IRS. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is lost nothing by them." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "9th. McCauley cleared. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "No." "It is true that I have been generally successful." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began upon the shelf for the interim." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door II. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "This photograph!" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to seven miles from Eyford Station.' vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it lumber-room." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "To ruin me." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded suggested at once that there must be a communication between the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white right! Sit down and let us talk it over." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the my former friend and companion. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all highly," said Holmes. hand, madam?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'There is a drive, then?' Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I cannot as yet see any connection." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss spark where all is dark to me." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Mrs. Toller serenely. it right.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Ah!" "He slept on the premises." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the key turn in the lock." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the date of his supposed suicide." more solid." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical events, Mr. Windibank!" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran drove away. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very of receipt of the work. Arthur Conan Doyle shoulder; "he's all right." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "No, I had a dozen." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was get her out of the way." room?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to have been novel and of interest." returned to France?" sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Ample." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Pool. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous national property. I was determined that the law should have its to have been novel and of interest." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself