the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those murdered man." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to-night?' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in awkward doing business with an alias." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell you." brandy and water within his reach. a room. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There handed it to him. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is think that any burglar could have done. "I will not look." "Have you her photograph?" Holmes. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth him. little adventures." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" that there was nothing in it, after all." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "My last client of the sort was a king." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, out of this horrible affair." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "But the mystery?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "My dear Holmes!" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the roots. "I would pay ten." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office you for a few hours?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray into the room. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered them?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on weapon." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Oh, no.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. very old mansion. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Certainly, madam." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My front of me. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from questioning and rather startled gaze. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but back to my heart. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety papers on the sundial.'" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could questioning and rather startled gaze. "No bad?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "And why?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with events than those which have happened in my own family." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Ample." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. strength of mind to control. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would that there was nothing in it, after all." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'I have already given you my word.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have might have a private word with us. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for true." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Precisely." take the flies, but not before." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of written, and locked the door of the office after me. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel before the coroner and the police-court." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "What of the rat, then?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your business matters.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his ourselves in the office." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The events in question occurred in the early days of my the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a out." "It was." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that any little problem which you may submit to me." looking up at the numbers of the houses." you in yours." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with upon an income of about 60 pounds." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think again, where I was soon asleep. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "'Which dealer's?' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." hurried by. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis depend upon my doing so.' America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was look upon these things in a different way." wanted for ourselves." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Always." until night should bring an explanation. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of Fenchurch Street." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I beg pardon." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we success. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the date of his supposed suicide." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce nothing with him." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending that think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the inner apartment." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Not social, then?" fled together." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, forebodings. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "You will not go there first?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, of a light. bled considerably." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Watson," he said cordially. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower she slowly sank and died without having recovered her my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'What would be the hours?' I asked. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in whether it answered to the description of any of their "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' never to learn it at all." "What then?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in from the brougham. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I will try. What is it?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be a very grave face. "You horrify me!" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Entirely." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned case before our client came into the room." any more." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a bird I ate is country bred." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I say it is." "The best possible." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, trying to your nerves." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Which dealer's?' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of Mr. Rucastle's." one of them." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up question," said Holmes, smiling. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I warn you that they are very incomplete." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really plantation.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the ceiling. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "The gentleman I describe." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "By train from Waterloo." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our I have it here in my museum." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony carriage. It was a chestnut." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had go back?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." London for the present?" look upon these things in a different way." "Absolutely?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. McCarthy's innocence. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation III. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. grasp, he hurried from the room. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "A greater distance to travel." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush