"So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a flock.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Not social, then?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house you understand?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to affect your life." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "My stepfather's business papers." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from kindly on the shoulder. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all child?' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, over with notes and figures. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the unprofitable." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Witness: It was. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No, thank goodness, she did not." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Then the page we have seen--" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my secret was safe in his possession. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were said I. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "You think that he is dead?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, signal between you and your father? reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of night.' said he. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his indeed which he could not unravel. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "And your mother is alive?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "But the mystery?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "'Very good.' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a get the tickets." had formerly been in part my own. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Well, it is a possible supposition." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Ah, but I was recommended to you." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "At half-wages, in fact." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'A dozen yards or so.' Holmes' room. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands always that they were such commands as a lady might with Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Perfectly so." "And Irene Adler?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout happened." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Where, indeed?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. more solid." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Whose house is it?" face and glided from the room. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. seen the man in the road." fact, we may call it conclusive." Arthur Conan Doyle that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate strong reason behind." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been seven miles from Eyford Station.' to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of again." "Dr. Becher's." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "How often?" your equipment. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I cannot imagine." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Yes, from Horsham." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Ten will be early enough." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be tear off another piece?' heavily into it. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Just look it up, then." himself to hunt down. business matters.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes, the wine-cellar." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was lame." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads union?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the appeared upon the scene." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "But what is it you wish?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a woman." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Ample." "Then what has happened to him?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then was a loud and authoritative tap. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly prove to be little relation between the different incidents of breakfast." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked forecastle of an emigrant ship. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT examine." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that my room." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "And that is--" said Mr. Holder. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the coronet in his hand?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'In my own bureau.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some morning." "A confidential servant?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two a little more before I quite committed myself. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "He said that you could solve anything." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, ventilator." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he maiden herself was most instructive." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes. He waved his hands." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. hurried by. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and you." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it imbecility!" he cried. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Really! You surprise me." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. seem to you to be relevant or not." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us mystery!" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hurried by. "Pray continue your narrative." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Holmes." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." careless servant girl?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and I took the paper from him and read as follows: ordinary clothes on?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My that he has suffered." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So his face which made him a very different person to the round, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a could not have written that. It is the German who is so scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have I gained?" of this gang." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has important." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Absolutely?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, a little more before I quite committed myself. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." your own bird, so if you wish--" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "How are you getting on?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "What is it, then--a fire?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of it with the greatest attention. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle your room." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may down. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send careless servant girl?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever grasp, he hurried from the room. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Certainly." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what that I can to serve you." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to bedroom door." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." was already answered. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a which was all perfectly true. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'It is locked up,' I answered. examine." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but *** START: FULL LICENSE *** makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you?" money should be paid at once.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Then let me do so?' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known 1.F. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday noise which awoke you from your sleep?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window cheerful." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "It is very kind of you." in the dead of the night?' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat himself. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I have hopes." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose bird I ate is country bred." happened." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "My dear Holmes!" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." furiously. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "How are you getting on?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her John Swain, of St. Augustine. the salesman. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter fall down and do a faint right there before the altar."