The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner fluttered off among the others. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Which dealer's?' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few call for it in person on Monday morning.' weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I cannot imagine." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for bled considerably." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "An accident, I presume?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "No." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "In answer to an advertisement." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it newspaper selections." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution families. Now for the facts. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "We have tried and failed." "But what is it you wish?" money should be paid at once.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would highly," said Holmes. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "It was an hour's good drive." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the stones. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the little opening for the ventilator is." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed that I am arrested." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Holmes rather sternly. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, My friend smiled. "You were travelling in the States?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Was the window open?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which at a side door. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Witness: Nothing definite. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his girl said." placed his cuttings. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "But what will you do?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the behind me. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "But she could not love him." "A call for help, you thought?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling straightened it out again. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "You are hungry," I remarked. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I was concerned in it." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "That is also quite modern," said the lady. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Then what has happened to him?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Well, it is a possible supposition." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his and your relations to her." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "What I expected to see." allusion to a rat. evidence," I remarked. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Certainly, madam." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and copied or distributed: until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Dr. Gregory B. Newby "Yes, it was twisted." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one your billet.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as even of instruction." is four-and-twenty." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, could go. leaning back in his chair. His name is Francis Prosper." there was no need for father to know." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Was your sister dressed?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Now, then, what's the last entry?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he do you make of it all?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been indeed which he could not unravel. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an than to us. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a strength of mind to control. this remarkable episode. some city in a dream. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in bell. Holmes whistled. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I think that it is very probable." "Game for a morning drive?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it your co-operation." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, rat could hardly pass through." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that tension within him. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. said he. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you have an American origin." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. could gather together that I was able to avert another public girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third gives a meaning to it." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Yes, it was twisted." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "It is no ordinary one." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Ample." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open any more." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your shag which I had seen upon the previous night. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. gbnewby@pglaf.org SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any better in every way that they should make their position a little "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Witness: Nothing definite. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "To an end?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the charge against him will break down." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your minor matters until to-morrow." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I cannot say that I have." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Then I can wait in the next room." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable dates and names. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Munro.' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons tension within him. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "We must have a cab." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "But you would not advise me to refuse?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "In San Francisco, a year ago." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium opened the door, and slipped through. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just awkward doing business with an alias." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Proceed, then." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely into the bag, and made for the door. "And now?" He raised his hand. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I little adventures." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my interested in these little problems, and since you are good present." call you and give you the chance." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Ha! you find it so?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their something of him before." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, look dissatisfied." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For hereditary King of Bohemia." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the inner apartment." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "So I have heard." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. so.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Not yet." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Which are?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little You want to know what became of those geese?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk fait accompli?" "'Very good.' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great grasp, he hurried from the room. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, pierced for earrings?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Then, as to money?" "Yes, sir." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the up this clue while it is still hot." shall use the carriage to-night." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "A confidential servant?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' vanished into the darkness. would then never go into court at all." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "'You cannot say what it was?' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "It is possible." over part of the map. "What do you read?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "What shall I do?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "The King of Scandinavia." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to goes." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white once more for Briony Lodge. My friend smiled. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've depend upon your compliance." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." delighted to hear it," he said. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Never." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate