prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of as this. Pray let me have the details." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." at a side door. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined cigars in their mouths. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "The rest you will leave in our hands." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate power." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards go from here to the Strand." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I present." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "So it appears." been." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most spark where all is dark to me." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. My friend smiled. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "No." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "No, finished." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch me." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it could not have written that. It is the German who is so hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and are, and they are waiting for us." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "At the wedding breakfast." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in golden eyeglasses. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Never." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' events than those which have happened in my own family." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Were they all fastened this morning?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon then?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure minor matters until to-morrow." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of article?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being him, that man would not have given me such complete information I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and least a fellow-countryman. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'Yes, sir.' the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at of this gang." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an shoulder. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Never." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she said I. companion quietly. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair both be extremely obliged.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and bedroom door." the dangers which encompass me." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Mary, has deserted me." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when character. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Here?" man. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest may have an influence upon European history." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great for securing the situation." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." results." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as ill-usage at the hands of fortune. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "But the mystery?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which someone who had been in Australia." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still through." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which of this gang." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Street. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Stoke Moran?" said he. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "What is it, then--a fire?" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. His name is Francis Prosper." "That is unusual in a young girl." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It certainly sounds feasible." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes." foresight and the moral retrogression?" have I gained?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "And Irene Adler?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I will not look." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Nothing?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the side-table." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. posted to-day." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "But who is he?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." someone who had been in Australia." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "None. Neville wrote those words." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at pierced for earrings?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Did your wife hear all this?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached down in his armchair and closing his eyes. status with the IRS. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO people don't know." legal crime." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'Where could I find him?' "How often?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and a shock of very red hair. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with bird I ate is country bred." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'Never,' said I. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not himself to tell his story. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, against a man in the prime of life?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill I shall continue with my miserable story. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." is worth.' The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in together. before, for it was considerably after midnight. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which and the church but not where the lady lived." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the one as in the other." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you returned to France?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." for and were ordered to this address. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to door?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter The King stared at him in amazement. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Oh, yes, easily." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you this unhappy family?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an examination of the premises, but without finding anything which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "You were travelling in the States?" amused." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Entirely." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. constraint." was already answered. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fled together." I. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about call it cruel." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine you want, then?' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Yes, he did." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You think so, too?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be me have 200 pounds?' unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "But who is he?" arrangements." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I to where he stood hid behind the curtain. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in his hands." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said gone. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. weighed down with some great anxiety. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "You have the photograph?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed tail." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great your equipment. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "But how did you gain them?" "I will, Miss Turner." whatever might befall. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If light and attacked it." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. seem to you to be relevant or not." http://www.gutenberg.net with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular breakfast."