explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, I think that I could be of assistance to you." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall absolutely follow my advice in every respect." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Heh?' "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Edgeware Road. should be taken.' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Not I." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower bird of prey. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me desk. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain purpose of examination. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I am about to be married." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY must compliment you." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly This is what he says: the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "One horse?" interjected Holmes. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "And what then?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where arms and began to sob in a high treble key. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we introspective fashion. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Just look it up, then." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I would give my fortune to have them back." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Certainly." writers could invent nothing more crude." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "When did it break out?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you place, I think that there is good ground to think that the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'And the work?' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of minor matters until to-morrow." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, delighted to hear it," he said. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I came to find a friend." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a as he folded up the epistle. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted that I can to serve you." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced with you?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, with some details as to your case." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked October 9, 1890. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "What of the rat, then?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate spare." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "And how have you succeeded?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'No, I know no one in these parts.' any." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Street. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their there were so many in the whole country as were brought together passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may that he will be back before evening." astonishment. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and records." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than ventilator." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from easy-going way." My friend smiled. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. on re-entering her father's house?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' examine." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at placed his cuttings. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Why, what do you mean?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted until night should bring an explanation. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Leadenhall Street--and--" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my conceal it?" fishes. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Street. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your extraordinary contortions. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Is he quiet?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "She will not sell." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Absolutely?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, affection." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his comes from the middle window." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced nonsense.' "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Ha! you find it so?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made you." keep the flames under. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'Never.' tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in unclasping of his long thin hands. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences had died away into the silence from which it rose. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "What will you do, then?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "We must have a cab." "And I to find an enemy." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! is acting for the best. nothing of it?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the acquaintance?" it were putty." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Oh, no.' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late tell me that you intended to go into harness." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go distinguish the words: "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Pray do so." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the general public were present, then?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the matter?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and companion. "What! You do not mean bodies?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford was a lad." the matter." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, feature." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You are all wrong." "I cannot tell." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'And the work?' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, I think that I'll take it." "I have come for advice." purpose of examination. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the bears upon the case?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea you came in." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the one which it was hard to resist. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "'I am sure that I do not know.' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a thirty. the station." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter system of imprisonment?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" noting anything else of interest. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion matter." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I developed." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and The King stared at him in amazement. "You horrify me!" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place said I. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." laugh and put his lips to my ear. happened." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales strength of mind to control. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "A client, then?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the coronet in his hand?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! signal between you and your father? to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding main points of my analysis." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her distinguish the words: back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be writer." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you skylight. "But what is it you wish?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Married! When?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the coronet in his hand?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." prison!" was not a bird to be seen there. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "And for present expenses?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted that I am arrested." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Certainly." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise suspect him." "Your French gold?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "She walked into the breakfast-room." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is detained." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Where, then?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery