weary and pale-looking. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and important." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the there." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you might help us?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes went to the Alpha were town bred." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project directly by questioning you." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner chamber." "And how in the world did you find them?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it ago." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six into her hand at the door and which lured her within their married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Then how many are there?" "Will you bet, then?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted she slowly sank and died without having recovered her And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had may never be exposed to such a temptation." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "One of the highest in England." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cigars in their mouths. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" matter." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as electronic works that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Ample." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was think that any burglar could have done. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'Yes.' marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, your co-operation." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fluttered off among the others. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa his forehead." "Well, but China?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "And I." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'Which dealer's?' departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. allusion to a rat. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "No, but the enclosure is." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never get her out of the way." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is miles off. of the vacancies.' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "No, thank goodness, she did not." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying persecution?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out photograph?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most held up the lantern and gazed about him. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and which was all perfectly true. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Certainly, madam." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with memory. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box other lovers by making love himself." important." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to never came back." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were a monotonous occupation." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. taking in every detail of the apartment. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and were unconscious?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet which it had come upon my father." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a present." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "They are typewritten," I remarked. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable tell him that I know him to be innocent." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "She will not sell." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Thank you. And your address?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough if only as a check to my own memory." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting in. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets with the outside air!" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival your equipment. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'It is locked up,' I answered. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of been." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Yes, it was twisted." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, flock.' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. orange pips. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his The summons was a brief and urgent one. which we had just quitted. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the train from Paddington which would bring you there at about weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip his eyes and forehead. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of the vacancies.' Have you good authority for what you say?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I am following you closely," I answered. it." of this gang." eavesdroppers?' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate strong and stiff." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when promised to bring home. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between own family. "And how did he make his money?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded awaited us upon the table. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending himself to hunt down. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old long narrative. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And I say east," said my patient. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to matter." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Have you her photograph?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to key turn in the lock." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt second window is the one that I jumped from." to surprise her." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up recover the gem." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "And what then?" one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My opportunities to fix the problem. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and instituted." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It power." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Yes, sir.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Well, but China?" of your young ladies.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by visitors." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to arrive at through this?" the Red-headed League." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past how narrow had been my escape. matters immensely." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "This concluded the examination of the witness." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Nothing?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have charge against him will break down." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman digesting their breakfasts at home." all-comprehensive glances. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I guessed as much." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of London for the present?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall happened." your equipment. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange in him." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some where Mr. Fordham shows you.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "The King of Scandinavia." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Certainly." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Countess of Morcar's?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Ah!" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, appeal." "Did you become engaged then?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "When did she vanish, then?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "And the cigar-holder?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. business?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By colonel looking down at me. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington lost his Christmas dinner." skylight. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal not come at once?" smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back appeal." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "It missed him, then?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "One of his hands." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project maid will bring up your coffee." "That sounds a little paradoxical." once more. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the you for a few hours?" newspaper selections." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' be there in time for your coming." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have