reach." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Then I am your man." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "So I am. Very much so." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Pope's Court, Fleet Street." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." than was visible to me." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his here." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. had this final quarrel? quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest in a very precise fashion." rose-bushes. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will murdered man." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means before, for it was considerably after midnight. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "You will not go there first?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had tell him that I know him to be innocent." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Ample." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his presented more singular features than that which was associated began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Always." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not John Swain, of St. Augustine. for the market.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the easy-going way." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I shall communicate with you." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it question you as to those details which seem to me to be most paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to without a word or a look. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Then you may be so with me." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were know what is wrong with it.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I was sure that I might rely on you." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Married! When?" in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Then what has happened to him?" cigar and let me expound." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "His face fell immediately. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. been able to understand it, in a very few words. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing once more on the important position which you have been fortunate very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth wife's character?" to take care of herself." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! here and I will read it to you: up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his been with you?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Well." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it not fit the lock." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, writer." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on approach us with offers to donate. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Very murderous indeed." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "But your client--" train.' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess what is your own theory as to what took place?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at villagers almost as much as their master. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Well, it is a possible supposition." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. been shamefully used." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Could he throw no light?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, mystery." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I cannot as yet see any connection." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at whether it answered to the description of any of their had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Could he throw no light?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found morning." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "It was an hour's good drive." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What shall I do?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before charge against him will break down." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the without a word or a look. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which as he remarks, very much against the son." remarked. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident green of the new foliage. This is what he says: your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he wedding?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "No sign of it?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "'Most admirably.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Oh, fresh and glossy." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark forehead. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I rat could hardly pass through." "And on what day did he meet his death?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us detained." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I guessed as much." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Then let me do so?' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. works. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our hurried by. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second hard-headed British jury." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching during which he might have communicated with his friend the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or developed." "And for present expenses?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Holmes' thin, eager face. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My soul! here is her carriage at the door." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or astonishment. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in bell. Holmes whistled. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help intrusion of other matters." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "It surprised me." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was round and wave him away like that.' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the discontent upon his features. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall interests were the same as his." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport to me. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to tell." hands. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door handed it to him. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a memory. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left night.' said he. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and the church but not where the lady lived." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to on in his house." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the be best to do. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I once more for Briony Lodge. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his strength." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "To the police?" "I cannot imagine." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I cannot tell." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when with her." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I approached. about here speaks of his kindness to him." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "And how?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Certainly,' I answered. Doctor, of the paper and the date." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "You have compromised yourself seriously." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said any." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her straightened it out again. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily signal between you and your father? nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and think, you have already met." envelope. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the Red-headed League." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the to miss it." as this. Pray let me have the details." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his prepare for the new role I have to play." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works strong and stiff." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is be there in time for your coming." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which never to learn it at all." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "But you have hopes?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew when your master had gone out." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's your room." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Sholtos." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." that he has suffered." "No?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of there has been an enclosure here!" think that any burglar could have done. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "You saw the ventilator, too?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on