"Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." depend upon your compliance." over part of the map. "What do you read?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." you came in." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I should like to see him very much." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be tied." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there even of instruction." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism your most interesting statement." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "There are none." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And how in the world did you find them?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Young McCarthy must be got off, however." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "It is possible." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have cigar and let me expound." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Miss Holder?" "Of what day?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life felt the room to be a little close.' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were such person." "The doctor?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from our word." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. constraint." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. sofa. This way, please!" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in chair. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "So I heard. You have him here?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." stood on the top of it. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "At half-wages, in fact." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "That's no good." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting manager. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in is a common subject for conversation. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project that I can to serve you." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "9th. McCauley cleared. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the think that he is innocent?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in sneer upon his pale face. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet felt the room to be a little close.' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Yes." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "I beg pardon." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "What can you not understand?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of hurried by. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal License. You must require such a user to return or you in yours." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect woven round him. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I say that I have solved it." said he at last. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in room had already been engaged for us. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as but preventing her from injuring another. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic garden below. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be made him keep the appointment." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Her father is very rich?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, mysterious end." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Very much so." eavesdroppers?' active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "I came to find a friend." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And how in the world did you find them?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he had formerly been in part my own. "And I." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. man. I know him from the photograph." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the coronet in his hand?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the papers." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "He said too much." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and you do it in twenty minutes!' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Yes, from Horsham." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Where to?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic me. You must get home instantly and act." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not What do you deduce from it?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left his huge brown hands. his grey eyes. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little not, dad?" she asked. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, at the mines." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "No." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first to affect your life." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Quite sure, dad.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the best of training." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest have an American origin." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Pray be precise as to details," said he. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all people in all walks of life. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Certainly, madam." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "You know me, then?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Farm upon the left." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." occupations.' that threaten you." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of trying to your nerves." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Yes." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the devil!" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with habit of advancing money.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the any." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and go from here to the Strand." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to that he will be back before evening." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right some place of shelter and let the county police know what has They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me public press." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And you can do nothing until then?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Why, what do you mean?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with written, and locked the door of the office after me. "At what time?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out allusion to a rat. had a long day." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I have a cab outside." that I am arrested." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It frequently gained my first real insight into the character of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "It is very kind of you." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his tell me that you intended to go into harness." of the way of danger. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the inquest, and which are worth considering." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Here?" to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Where, then, is my wife?" woven round him. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "One?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of business at Coburg Square is serious." depend upon my doing so.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child McCarthy's innocence. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day which are rolled in Rotterdam." "I will get her to show me." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve digesting their breakfasts at home." lips." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'Stolen!' he cried. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the eavesdroppers?' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I don't believe it." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Who was the criminal, then?" then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy open." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "No good news?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Perhaps I have." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite promised to bring home. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see in one or two places in England?' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Nothing." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Quite so. She has her freedom." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your views." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you most important business. It is probable that he will be away all other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "I have come for advice." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And,