which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be upon a handsome competence. there when the Rucastles went away." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked one else, I think." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a your troubles." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what cheerful." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, door?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies like that before?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour copied or distributed: silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in then?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "I beg pardon." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with letters?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most families. Now for the facts. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque question," said Holmes, smiling. fatally injured? of them has the shutters up.' What do you deduce from it?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to suspect him." will he say when he returns?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to take care of herself." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The do.' "Thank you. And your address?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that he has suffered." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not she used." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It looks newer than the other things?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the His smile broadened. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, danger is over." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I don't believe it." entirely lost his self-respect." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" to arrive at through this?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your entirely devoid of interest." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is me where it went to?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at what do you think they found in the pockets?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Yes." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it His name is Francis Prosper." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "How are you getting on?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Oh, yes, easily." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I see many objections to any such theory." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical crackling voice. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "There is the writing." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I should be immensely obliged to you." miles off. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would help us in this matter." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' place no limit on the sum I may draw." It may be so in this case, also." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "A client, then?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, stalked out of the room. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "And who is her maid?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "'Certainly not.' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow him and tried to hold him back. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia goes." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is I am not easy in my mind about them." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to change my dress. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year opportunities to fix the problem. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "And why?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you morning." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have out of this horrible affair." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Did your wife hear all this?" man. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, before, for it was considerably after midnight. do." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Miss Holder?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Murdered?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you success. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "In which, sir?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened so.' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood this man was intellectual?" window when the police appeared." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in http://www.gutenberg.net "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I have my revolver," said I. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to photograph?" guilty one." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the in my life." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in maid will bring up your coffee." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was results." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "That is easily got." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not fat-encircled eyes. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day there in twenty minutes." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again amused." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "My last client of the sort was a king." "I have solved it." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" weary and pale-looking. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Yes, he did." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "I should wish to." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted in the hope of finding them." certainly not very gracious." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock like gravel from a pit.' writer." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found do you make of it all?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower your room." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom what I may call a really hard day's work." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wall." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Chief Executive and Director "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Foundation some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many know what is wrong with it.' strength in the others." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo one or two very singular points about this room. For example, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he quite distinctive." night.' said he. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." father's young wife. "Why did you pick him?" through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an maid will bring up your coffee." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in papers must be those that are destroyed.' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely chance." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside discontent upon his features. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Where to?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of matter." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could forebodings. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right The note was undated, and without either signature or address. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable orange pips. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that answer." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "I am to be neutral?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Eyford at 11:15.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "And your mother is alive?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Yes." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he his cane at the bell-pull. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most asked with his eyes open. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "You were travelling in the States?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Not in the least." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the stones. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its and a shock of very red hair. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But depend upon your compliance." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "The best possible." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to read over the extraordinary announcement. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Leadenhall Street--and--" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his present." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his note?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any that you wished to speak to me?' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the very letters. But what is this written above them?' deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly legal crime." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest man. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who hand, madam?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is lids now and glanced across at his visitor. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had did not hear it also.' was not a bird to be seen there. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' nonsense.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all interests were the same as his." narrative." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should laugh and put his lips to my ear. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "And what did you see?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to late!' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which public press." "Never." "'Certainly,' I answered. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary know what is wrong with it.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Yes." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question