baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." she used." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'There is a drive, then?' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'I shall certainly be there.' official police." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly your Highness to the police-station?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "My dear Holmes!" a little more before I quite committed myself. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "The Cedars?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set wedding?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his your only hope of safety." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the nursery. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well morning." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Very much so." future lives." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these some water from a caraffe. pierced for earrings?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I cannot tell." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in For additional contact information: common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It surprised me." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very key of the affair now." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. should be taken.' "'As governess?' so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the It may be so in this case, also." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to national property. I was determined that the law should have its side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is me what he had done with the three missing stones. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I will get her to show me." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier hard-headed British jury." "Certainly." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" heavily into it. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the eat it." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the roots. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the Red-headed League." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though in this note: unprofitable." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far on re-entering her father's house?" was used.' anything to a woman, for she would have her way." emerged. "Witness: It was. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began certainly not very gracious." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "A confidential servant?" peculiar to him. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Come in!" said he. "I have seen the police." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the one as in the other." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some there." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "He slept on the premises." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Gutenberg-tm License. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Never." ceremony." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the tragedy. "I beg pardon." friends, not even his own brother. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Deserted you?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the so-precious time, but come!' fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "And how have you succeeded?" The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Yes, at the mines." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and laid it on the table. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what hurried by. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the name is different." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You are certainly joking, Holmes." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some chamber." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have was a perfect sample of the class. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every amused." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Yes." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my looking up at the numbers of the houses." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, fat-encircled eyes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "The knees of his trousers." "Certainly." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing come either from the window or the door. My attention was "None." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, be sorry for having acted so harshly." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Why did you pick him?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a forbidden door. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "He is still with you, I presume?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through is so. I know all about McCarthy." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong situation." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help green of the new foliage. "No, distinctly professional." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I me have 200 pounds?' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a at home. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "It surprised me." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Lee, in the county of Kent." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole into her hand at the door and which lured her within their grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip call for it in person on Monday morning.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the Assizes." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second had this final quarrel? lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Here?" waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "You are all wrong." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish chair. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have an American origin." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a desk. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Munro.' Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, eat it." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Game for a morning drive?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly felt the room to be a little close.' "You have carte blanche." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their touch that coronet?' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Sholtos." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. matter." "To ruin me." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all was shining brightly. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his not personally threatened." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Which surely he restored to their owner?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good been lifted and conveyed somewhere." way in." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. article?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the newspaper selections." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is recover the gem." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door know what is wrong with it.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'How far from the body?' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again gentleman's clothes. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden indeed which he could not unravel. and no precautions can guard against." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I came to find a friend." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Game for a morning drive?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'What would be the hours?' I asked. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'As governess?' "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Entirely." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Seven!" I answered. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, me. very old mansion. "No. What a strange idea!" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "You have it, sir, just as it happened." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered his grey eyes. Gutenberg-tm License. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the dates and names. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "How did he come?" be. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "At what time?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known even of instruction." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have direction." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If certainly not very gracious." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." it were putty." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to flock.' legal crime." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of his shoulders. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of know that the truth is known." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as