myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "The murder was done with it." individual and becomes the badge of a society." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the you." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "But we can't all be." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there it." "In heaven's name, what for?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our joking. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than awkward doing business with an alias." "Perfectly so." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an interested in these little problems, and since you are good written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "That also I could fathom." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Sutherland?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was call for it in person on Monday morning.' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the Assizes." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate laugh and put his lips to my ear. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I shall most certainly do so." my friend's incisive reasoning. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and capable of preserving a secret.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." client, rising. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have delighted to hear it," he said. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. pound a week." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," placed his cuttings. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with that I am arrested." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to change my dress. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Look there!" said he. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among bears upon the case?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be I shall continue with my miserable story. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. gbnewby@pglaf.org interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "That is unusual in a young girl." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My into the bag, and made for the door. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name gives a meaning to it." when your master had gone out." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned think, you have already met." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation amused." "Well." "Well, some hundreds of times." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money spare." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the so-precious time, but come!' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. that he will be back before evening." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And I say east," said my patient. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full there has been an enclosure here!" had a long day." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. companion imperturbably. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It is very clear." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yes." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his his forehead." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Quite sure, dad.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time in one or two places in England?' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." begun to whiten, even as mine has." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere letters?" round and wave him away like that.' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "None." felt?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and that he would see to anything that turned up. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided ourselves in the office." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new of." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems there in twenty minutes." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have is now desirous of getting those letters back." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of my little problems." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "No. His orders were to stay in the house." 'please.'" with her." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any during which he might have communicated with his friend the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "What shall I do?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing begun to whiten, even as mine has." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father tear off another piece?' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had States. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "How on earth--" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Nor running a chance of arrest?" nothing with him." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I will, Miss Turner." "I cannot say that I have." delirious. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. suspect him." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Entirely.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" father's place of business?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the morning and make my own way in the world.' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." pictures, libraries, or plate. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'It is locked up,' I answered. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Witness: It was. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in union?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a questionable one." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Imitated." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and I shall be with you presently." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "What is it?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "But how did you gain them?" hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed undoubtedly my uncle's." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, the tragedy. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project troubles have been weighing upon his mind. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the call the police, let the police find what they can.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I think that it is very probable." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began rose-bushes. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Well, some hundreds of times." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "She will not sell." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go ourselves in the office." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been some city in a dream. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and relief. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "The knees of his trousers." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is once more for Briony Lodge. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, other, as fresh and trim as possible. death." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Dr. Becher's." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY not use it unless it is absolutely needed." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a occurred." "Yes, at the mines." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet in one or two places in England?' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is future lives." over here." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a light and attacked it." "What office?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Surrey." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "No." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Married! When?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that he has suffered." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'How far from the body?' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded prove to be little relation between the different incidents of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" I leave." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "The landlord of the Alpha." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "What can it mean?" I gasped. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police certainly not very gracious." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that that?' "It is very clear." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "My photograph." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, stalked out of the room. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this during which he might have communicated with his friend the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all redistribution. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You did not overhear what they said?" any." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink that?' are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." if only as a check to my own memory." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of arrested. You then--" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." instituted." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had hereditary King of Bohemia." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it to surprise her." You want to know what became of those geese?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what lamp in his hand. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Quite so." sound at heart." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Look there!" said he. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "No." companion imperturbably. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in was used.' asked. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. spark where all is dark to me."