have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first fear." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever fatally injured? something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was Stoke Moran." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your woman." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "But who is he?" evidence," I remarked. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' chance." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Yes.' above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I miles off. Again Holmes raved in the air. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the address. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main in this way: "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now a few minutes he said that it would be all right. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the of." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "He is dead," cried several voices. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do fact, we may call it conclusive." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "The murder was done with it." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an face and glided from the room. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than remarked. few hundred pounds.' of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, that you wished to speak to me?' public press." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his that of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main chair. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." forbidden door. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet recover the gem." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every giving me time to thank him. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main I. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is observed. something of him before." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Yes, sir.' him!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Was he the only applicant?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "I say that I have solved it." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my awkward doing business with an alias." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." must be when I saw the door open.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Yes." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the some water from a caraffe. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on events than those which have happened in my own family." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. highly," said Holmes. closing the door. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Nearly eleven." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone miles off. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his forbidden door. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran charged with?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Then let me do so?' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he second." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a outsides of the windows. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was had died away into the silence from which it rose. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "About a month then." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the should be so warm over such a trifle." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a pictures, libraries, or plate. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Never,' said I. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Stolen!' he cried. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Yes." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his were wasted." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I know where it is." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "No sign of it?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from since then to throw any light upon what became of him." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Is he quiet?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him if only as a check to my own memory." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future occupations.' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this was used.' to talk it over. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a where we are going." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere delirious. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending crackling voice. "Nothing?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Was she in good spirits?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we directors, with the result that you have seen." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. be.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, what these perils are?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella it. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to get her out of the way." down. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Game for a morning drive?" be best to do. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this pictures, libraries, or plate. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "But how could you guess what the motive was?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Sutherland. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. my former friend and companion. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has chair. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I am armed." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Clair, of Lee." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Come in!" said he. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "May I see it?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to your sleep?' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from unprecedented a position." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous pierced for earrings?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my attention." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." are windows in it, of course?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be there!' any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "BALLARAT." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "At the wedding breakfast." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. his eyes and forehead. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss again, where I was soon asleep. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon head. So long, then!" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. ashen face. interested in these little problems, and since you are good me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Why did you beat the pavement?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage eavesdroppers?' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Yes, certainly." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe appeared upon the scene." "In San Francisco, a year ago." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important fattened it expressly for you.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's note?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should cheerful." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fashion which was peculiar to him. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and meant." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "So it appears." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Nothing." "Yes." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our one of the states of the Union." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had occupations.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the when you have done it." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and prosperity to your house. Good-night." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor lost nothing by them." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside dear old homesteads?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the were new raised from a basin. back to my heart. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At