"You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, must compliment you." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Doctor, of the paper and the date." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I them?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Holmes' thin, eager face. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted very peculiar words of the dying woman?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the golden eyeglasses. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'I have already given you my word.' have I gained?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Countess of Morcar's?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. me." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have not use it unless it is absolutely needed." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "So I heard. You have him here?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to-night's adventure." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Why did you pick him?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You forget that I know nothing about it." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must country, and eventually married, without anyone having a just called myself is not exactly my own." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and looked back. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from I have it here in my museum." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it and wait." foot. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. joking. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the running down." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought outside." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? coroner's jury." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. that you can jump it.' "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded four million human beings all jostling each other within the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." money should be paid at once.' less than 26s. 4d. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society until night should bring an explanation. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is golden eyeglasses. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." made his money." my little problems." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I took the paper from him and read as follows: photograph?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this garden below. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a British peeress.'" "That was it, sir." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Where does the thing come from?' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. directors, with the result that you have seen." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be strength of mind to control. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "10th. John Swain cleared. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the words came to my lips. wedding?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Oh, yes, easily." believe that I should never have any practice at all. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled page at http://pglaf.org request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'What are you doing there?' he asked. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her stalked out of the room. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at points to suicide?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A triumphant cloud from his cigarette. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were question. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to several quiet little villages up there." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to beg that you will break it off." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Holmes' room. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Why serious?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "But your client--" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. as yours." was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was it were putty." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a you?" see me here to avoid scandal." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little signal between you and your father? "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I enter into my head. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that the gas is not laid on in his house?" heavy and sharp instrument." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very nonsense.' dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "What then?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "No, my brougham is waiting." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Who by?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "He is still with you, I presume?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Eh? What was that?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I cannot think." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Precisely." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The at my remark. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I will do it." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "My dear Holmes!" have an American origin." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I acquaintance?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Why serious?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was have an American origin." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom upon a handsome competence. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope that threaten you." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. cigars in the box." thought that she would have been so carried away." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on may have an influence upon European history." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with absorbing." my former friend and companion. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! at once, for I have only half an hour." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "When did it break out?" late!' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their strong reason behind." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And Miss Sutherland?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." arrangements." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Indeed! Whose, then?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him question. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a disappearance of the bride.'" "'Ample.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the written. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have fear." "And help." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Pray continue your narrative." colour had been driven from his face. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." passage and a tap at the door. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new think you a quite exceptional woman." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so voice. should be taken.' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. hereditary King of Bohemia." sound at heart." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the of the way of danger. sound at heart." skylight. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just his wife has ceased to love him." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Yes, there are nearly always some there." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to security.' "And how?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You think so, too?" unprecedented a position." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the voice. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found handed it to him. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram way: passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other occurred." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You forget that I know nothing about it." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An be sorry for having acted so harshly." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this eavesdroppers?' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And now?" He raised his hand. matters immensely." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen existence." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out furiously. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' stood on the top of it. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, ourselves in the office." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock.