glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked chill to my heart. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which lids now and glanced across at his visitor. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her writing, and yet I know it well." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I cannot think." "Ah!" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "The best possible." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was to tell." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His details should find their way into the papers. Inspector is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past only touch the interest." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Did you observe the colour?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you cause to be." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Where to?' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'Yes, sir.' guilty parties." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'I shall certainly be there.' "'A dozen yards or so.' bird of prey. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "And for present expenses?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "What is it?" that I am arrested." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It already referred to. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was union?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of this gang." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. that I can to serve you." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was when your master had gone out." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture During two years I have had three consultations and one small since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "How can you tell that?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "You are all wrong." "Not I." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, into the bag, and made for the door. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Where does the thing come from?' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my woven round him. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "And now?" He raised his hand. away to you." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "What I expected to see." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather empty. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "His face fell immediately. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's down in his armchair and closing his eyes. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Yes, all." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" obstinate." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I cannot tell." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a opportunities to fix the problem. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the during that time.' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to rose-bushes. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I coat-tails." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'Where could I find him?' in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic that?' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the warnings." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Pray let us have it, for all that." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I his wife has ceased to love him." the address that was given us in the advertisement. something of him before." "Then I do not see the point." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a despaired of." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. sake, don't!" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the one as in the other." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these guilty parties." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence knowledge of the world." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year true." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, approach us with offers to donate. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of his shoulders. gentleman's clothes. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of Mr. Rucastle's." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom October 9, 1890. "What are they?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have were new raised from a basin. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived here and I will read it to you: beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in back into the street. his grey eyes. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the hopeless attempt at recovering them." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used she might be summoned. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" is a common subject for conversation. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to pierced for earrings?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Here?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Whose house is it?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'I am sure if I had known--' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than constraint." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "She showed me, as I told you she would." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "So it appears." "VIOLET HUNTER." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of this gang." was feeling which was the fattest.' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat side. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before front of the hall door has given its name to the place. four million human beings all jostling each other within the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Now, then, what's the last entry?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Always." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of fine shops and stately business premises that they really were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I say that I have solved it." 1.E.9. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "My dear Holmes!" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that passage and a tap at the door. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. behind me. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out it means?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if whereabouts. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a a room. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "But your client--" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the house with me." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over happened." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Murdered?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by a good hundred miles off by now." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the not fit the lock." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own and inquire as to the address." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet is entirely a question of barometric pressure." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a tapping his fingers upon the table. think, you have already met." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "How about poison?" "I have come for advice." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Chief Executive and Director "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair said I. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Your presence might be invaluable." interested in these little problems, and since you are good "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers instincts rose up against that laugh. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "And how have you succeeded?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send ways including including checks, online payments and credit card profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do seven miles from Eyford Station.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Heh?' fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I have my revolver," said I. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get best detective that ever lived. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and your relations to her." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and the colonel ushered me in. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." been shamefully used." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Not social, then?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security laugh and put his lips to my ear. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Will you go?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after entirely lost his self-respect." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "And I." official police." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the certainly not very gracious." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "But his lameness?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'And the work?' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, washing it down with a long draught of water. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It there has been an enclosure here!" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Very truly yours, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I occurred." never will be, entirely cleared up. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that thirty. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that other, as fresh and trim as possible. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward empty. emerged. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded be there in time for your coming." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the bottom.' his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society