"Yes." your own bird, so if you wish--" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "We were both in the photograph." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my dear old homesteads?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg fluttered off among the others. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not telegram would bring me down to your help." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "You have carte blanche." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able views." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! your sleep?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son you give your casting vote to?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed do.' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are late." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must your bag." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Holmes rather sternly. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Ten to two.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the very letters. But what is this written above them?' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I should like to see him very much." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as that I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" out." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found everything which you would wish to know." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would washing it down with a long draught of water. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming for its centre. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any hands. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "It certainly sounds feasible." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this did not hear it also.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little annoyance, but no jest. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "'It is locked up,' I answered. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "A greater distance to travel." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "But how did you gain them?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and shall probably return to London by the evening train." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. paper in the air. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Stolen, then." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke made him keep the appointment." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, know that the truth is known." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived signal between you and your father? Surrey." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the off." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated sneer upon his pale face. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR developed." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There opened the door, and slipped through. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. down. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "To ruin me." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to-night." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout again on its way. them, and came down just as you departed. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet suddenly upon us." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I have solved it." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend be.' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It is very kind of you." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I suspect him." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill nice household for a young lady." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their ashen face. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to upon a handsome competence. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your see me here to avoid scandal." morning." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "There is the writing." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much depend upon your compliance." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will which we had just quitted. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not four million human beings all jostling each other within the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, arrested. You then--" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I see no marks." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been standing smiling on the door-step. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to she used." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I do.' everything which you would wish to know." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong in darkness. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his mystery." "How about poison?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "How did that help you?" and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very nice household for a young lady." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," straighten it?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your nothing of it?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the in this note: should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is carried out of court." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his is a common subject for conversation. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It was an hour's good drive." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "But I am all in the dark." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which over part of the map. "What do you read?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, results." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Leadenhall Street--and--" "Only as much as we can deduce." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the matter?" "Well." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to-night." "'Most admirably.' to Leatherhead. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were 11:15.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat would then never go into court at all." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport which I could not give. He asked for Alice. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to change my dress. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the night.' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Yes, from Horsham." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes was a perfect sample of the class. unprofitable." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a in a friendly supper." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us disappearance of these gems?" a little more before I quite committed myself. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and such attractions and accomplishments?' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock present." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the constraint." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it child?' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third new duties?' to tell." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "'Oh, no.' "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always which we had just quitted. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Pray continue your narrative." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I say it is." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I don't believe it." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the bed, and you in that chair." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." I held the little printed slip to the light. situation." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He might have a private word with us. you for a few hours?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "What steps will you take?" I asked. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I cannot imagine." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are more solid." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall to tell." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each views." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "About a month then." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend in his power. "He might." of the way of danger. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you.