by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the of his shoulders. on re-entering her father's house?" mysterious end." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Absolutely none." directors, with the result that you have seen." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "How can you tell that?" the stones. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious passage and a tap at the door. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this you do it in twenty minutes!' front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are not interfere, come what may. You understand?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I have come for advice." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs to tell." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended orange pips. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'About the same.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on not as remarkable as your advertisement." undoubtedly my uncle's." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has is now desirous of getting those letters back." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is asked. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss forebodings. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Nearly eleven." in my life." very old mansion. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into events, Mr. Windibank!" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad rat could hardly pass through." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "He slept on the premises." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We locked." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, some city in a dream. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the hardly wander." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the child." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been there in twenty minutes." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Your sister is dead, then?" your bag." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable will not take me long to tell. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and corner of the building. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in see me here to avoid scandal." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently everything which you would wish to know." so.' while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by business matters.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "A thing like a cleaver," said he. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "And for present expenses?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Look there!" said he. plantation.' Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with an introduction to him?" for securing the situation." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been vault. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Certainly." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those definite end. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one remarked. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of both be extremely obliged.' fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "No." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, way in." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the warnings." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been felt?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "In San Francisco, a year ago." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Then the page we have seen--" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a noting anything else of interest. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I answered that I had not. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is tapping his fingers upon the table. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a second." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation ago." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works vault. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the coronet in his hands?" "It certainly sounds feasible." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many God! What an exposure! What can I do?" unprecedented a position." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the coronet at all injured?" certainly do as you advise." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I easy-going way." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew vanished into the darkness. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'And the work?' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" to some other building. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I cannot imagine." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the the window, rose as we entered. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It came here." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He door?" absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there conceal it?" the best of training." "Where, indeed?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Pope's Court. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that was it brought him the coronet? Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. go--none." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back confronted him. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "What have you done?" asked Holmes. questionable one." "'Ample.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert article?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a promised to bring home. "'I have heard so.' "Yes, only one." a good hundred miles off by now." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for despair." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have promised to bring home. purpose equally well?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Could he throw no light?" married her." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of unkempt, staring out at me. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of the ceiling. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept shall use the carriage to-night." and put his glass in his pocket. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to seen the man in the road." "Not I." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Sutherland?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of stammered. "The doctor?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "The murder was done with it." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "How often?" south, for the country is more deserted there." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute said he. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that straighten it?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "No." long narrative. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his crowd. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Why did you beat the pavement?" hour." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a chance at all." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, acted in my house last night?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And how did you find out?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "How are you getting on?" fire. You quite follow me?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "That is easily got." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple once more to my work. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend fishes. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the one else, I think." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of formed some opinion?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you daring than any effort of the imagination." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Game for a morning drive?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I think it very unlikely." definite end. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "There is the writing." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "And on what day did he meet his death?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he tell me that you intended to go into harness." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Then I do not see the point." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face long narrative. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future business matters.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the