speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the devil!" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some your room." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Your sister is dead, then?" "Nothing." together. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It must be recovered." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "You will not go there first?" Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "BALLARAT." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "'Is 4 pounds a week.' was used.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "No. What a strange idea!" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I six. Come in!" in darkness. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "Whose house is it?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "The gentleman I describe." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the compunction about shooting them down." with some details as to your case." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes showing my impatience. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "To ruin me." with her." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I will try. What is it?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I said he. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "But how could you guess what the motive was?" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." definite end. "And why in hopes?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying fact, we may call it conclusive." what is your own theory as to what took place?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Imitated." my former friend and companion. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Then you may entirely rely on me." hurried by. on in his house." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Watson," he said cordially. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." mysterious end." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I will try. What is it?" events, Mr. Windibank!" that before taking the final step I should like to submit the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows III. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies man. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they was already answered. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "To an end?" key of the affair now." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. of your young ladies.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already furiously. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Married! When?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "By no means." chance." these bleak autumnal evenings." "Ample." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He eat it." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "This photograph!" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Stolen!' he cried. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless tied." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, if she died from some sudden fright." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade shoulder. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, that he has suffered." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. it with his own hands." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Yes, certainly." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do there in twenty minutes." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this during that time.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I introspective fashion. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no with you?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Which dealer's?' robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his obstinate." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "But how?" placed his cuttings. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which written. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "But how?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay client, rising. For additional contact information: Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further his face which made him a very different person to the round, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of matters immensely." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would confronted him. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a populous neighbourhood." to me. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I straightened it out again. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his himself. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" what I may call a really hard day's work." certainly do as you advise." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the washing it down with a long draught of water. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm man. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just that you can jump it.' "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Yes, I promise.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" lamp in his hand. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Certainly." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "What do you make of that, Watson?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'How far from the body?' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must that threaten you." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old golden eyeglasses. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an visitors." gigantic client. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father served to weaken the effect. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his means taking possession of that which another person has a prior in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the nursery. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at desk. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious once more. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gone. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. detective. to arrive at through this?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is over here." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was your troubles." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got hour?' "My last client of the sort was a king." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the bottom.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "An accident, I presume?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." questioning and rather startled gaze. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, only touch the interest." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Nothing?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and capable of preserving a secret.' of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, them?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room a suggestive one." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know observed. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "And how?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the running down." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. humiliation." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I over part of the map. "What do you read?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Did your wife hear all this?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. correct than the official force." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has that he will be back before evening." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and me what he had done with the three missing stones. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most face and glided from the room. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us do." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "'No, I know no one in these parts.' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Did your wife hear all this?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, chemical work which was so dear to him. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to me. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with papers." emerged. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. such person." signal between you and your father? "Not yet." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes, I have one waiting." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to correct than the official force." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I wanted for ourselves." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. McCarthy's innocence. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "But you have hopes?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "And when will you call?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a The King stared at him in amazement. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It is half-past ten now." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such promised to bring home. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first results." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely weary and pale-looking. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your