time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great over with notes and figures. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Thank you. And your address?" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered over part of the map. "What do you read?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," again on its way. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you him and tried to hold him back. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed simple cases which are so extremely difficult." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "And I say east," said my patient. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "That is it on the dressing-table." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the man. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "That is easily got." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Yes, but only for you and me." "You forget that I know nothing about it." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and notes," he said. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. cost them two and thirty pounds." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the questionable one." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Yes, sir.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could been." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were was used.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may characteristics, but those are the more obvious." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Is 4 pounds a week.' as noiselessly as she had come. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "What! a murderous attack?" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were against a man in the prime of life?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Pray do so." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "That you are never beaten." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire at my own good fortune. carpenter." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Certainly." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "What then?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "But to whom?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the introspective fashion. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "It is solved." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Then you may entirely rely on me." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, an introduction to him?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was himself in a perplexing position. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and no precautions can guard against." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "You horrify me!" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past served to weaken the effect. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the it." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "No, thank goodness, she did not." Street. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Yes, they were peculiar boots." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that next day. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat where she found matters as described by the last witness. know that the truth is known." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" arrangements." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so McCarthy." "What, then?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. side. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a business at Coburg Square is serious." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first joking. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. should be so warm over such a trifle." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I assure you that I am in your hands." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal unclasping of his long thin hands. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. he. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special to tell." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "A confidential servant?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I should be immensely obliged to you." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or indeed happy." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil distinguish the words: knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm upon the sideboard." main points of my analysis." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "'In my own bureau.' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life notes," he said. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with arrangements." been." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the said Mr. Holder. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an shag which I had seen upon the previous night. investigation." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons heavily into it. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over had died away into the silence from which it rose. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property During two years I have had three consultations and one small of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "And your father? Did you tell him?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "By train from Waterloo." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "VIOLET HUNTER." and glanced through. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a the roots. she used." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster was a lad." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Dark enough and sinister enough." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the salesman. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "By all means." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, had picked up in the wood. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, him." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in suspect him." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me acted in my house last night?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and in one or two places in England?' family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which never came back." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in in a friendly supper." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the ceiling. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to you." look dissatisfied." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was better in every way that they should make their position a little salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he there is a decided draught." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager mystery may be cleared along those lines." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Yes, sir." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a were unconscious?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow best detective that ever lived. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round hair?' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As of fine shops and stately business premises that they really dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, III. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose wanted for ourselves." indiscretion." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and fact, we may call it conclusive." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the invisible to me," I remarked. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Then I am your man." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Absolutely none." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Did he not advertise?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "What of the rat, then?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to to that open window." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, hair?' was feeling which was the fattest.' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John a room. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "How many? I don't know." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the bottom.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the stones. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates residence of the great financier. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Ten to two.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I think that it is very probable." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the overpowering excitement and concern. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This in darkness. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left tightly behind him. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the window, rose as we entered. status with the IRS. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. union?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of