which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, are windows in it, of course?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a goes." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter thin, with a long, sharp nose?" British peeress.'" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which tell me that you intended to go into harness." system of imprisonment?" nonsense.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. fattened it expressly for you.' morning." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Ah, but I was recommended to you." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "On the contrary, this is the right side." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute of." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Dr. Becher's." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "We must have a cab." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be next day. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "How many? I don't know." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, minor matters until to-morrow." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I for securing the situation." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I am following you closely," I answered. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Nearly eleven." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "It came here." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She bears upon the case?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" is worth.' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "It is no ordinary one." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Your French gold?" page at http://pglaf.org Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an pound a week." indeed happy." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." of campaign. obstinate." "So I heard. You have him here?" bill, which interests me deeply." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Do you go out much in society?" main points of my analysis." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "The gentleman I describe." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by hardly wander." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'Certainly not.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had test if we have an answer to our advertisement." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall chambers. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were morning." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I am to be neutral?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she chemical work which was so dear to him. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'What then?' I asked. "And why?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "On Monday." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "What can you not understand?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. sufficient punishment." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had believe that I should never have any practice at all. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." lips." before, for it was considerably after midnight. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "The gentleman I describe." "Did he not advertise?" against a man in the prime of life?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." something of him before." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." to surprise her." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own fluttered off among the others. "And I to find an enemy." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Nearly eleven." even of instruction." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of mystery." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from train from Paddington which would bring you there at about was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly advice." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we views." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means his fortune, and I went back to pa. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' annoyance, but no jest. "But you can know nothing of this?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Well, but China?" morning." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I voice. chance at all." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Well, it is a possible supposition." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at to me. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and DISSOLVED. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I have it here in my museum." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. experiences." brain must have something in it." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "No, thank goodness, she did not." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'No, I know no one in these parts.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" approach us with offers to donate. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." held up the lantern and gazed about him. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the window, rose as we entered. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "My private note-paper." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "That is possible." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull as he remarks, very much against the son." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize skylight. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "That also I could fathom." least a fellow-countryman. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose carpenter." "And sit in the dark?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the attention." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief *** START: FULL LICENSE *** himself to tell his story. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I see no marks." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your plantation.' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman tell me that you intended to go into harness." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "My own seal." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to of them has the shutters up.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and had this final quarrel? "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to little adventures." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "BALLARAT." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it be.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "And why?" Heh?' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London even of instruction." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I came to find a friend." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his James Windibank. Voilà tout!" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding your sleep?' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Absolutely?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H 1.F. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "And now?" I asked. nights." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight guilty one." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." returned to France?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and allusion to a rat. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" as this. Pray let me have the details." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to he bowed and left the room without another word. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No, I am descending." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that bedroom door." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning conduct the inquiry." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions very old mansion. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." our word." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who which are rolled in Rotterdam." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It certainly sounds feasible." "Who by?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no get her out of the way." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to joking. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I cannot imagine." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I say it is."