freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Well?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the him." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client such person." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to knowledge of the world." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Perhaps we may make them less so." and effective." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the house with me." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. eat it." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." fatally injured? business came to an end." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Yes, but only for you and me." three fields round his house, and there he would take his later, upon the night of May 2nd." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its simple cases which are so extremely difficult." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the coronet in his hand?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was three fields round his house, and there he would take his some water from a caraffe. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was a loud and authoritative tap. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a his eyes and forehead. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he you." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for works. See paragraph 1.E below. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Yes." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." several quiet little villages up there." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "And how did you find out?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a I. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to a light-house. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Ah!" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. existence." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who 1.F. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the matters immensely." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been at once, for I have only half an hour." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Married! When?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "No bad?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all burst out into a roar of laughter. "And what did you learn from him?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, prison!" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up within hail.' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Of Friday, June 19th." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I shall be delighted." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because taking in every detail of the apartment. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, upon the sideboard." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the general public were present, then?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and I shall be with you presently." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "I think that I had better go, Holmes." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Yesterday." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, brain must have something in it." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great cheerful." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have hurried away. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the there when the Rucastles went away." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was his eyes and forehead. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no congratulate you again." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "But what is it you wish?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who before the coroner and the police-court." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Yes, he did." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "She showed me, as I told you she would." conclusions. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very few hundred pounds.' face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the Friday. Was it to be in church?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of a suggestive one." do." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so of Mr. Rucastle's." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, murdered man." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might quite distinctive." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "I have solved it." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." recover the gem." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you examination of the premises, but without finding anything which comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover at once, for I have only half an hour." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him look upon these things in a different way." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an he bowed and left the room without another word. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. allusion to a rat. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "But of what society?" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Well?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we not personally threatened." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's made him keep the appointment." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "But what will you do?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Nothing?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite during which he might have communicated with his friend the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his answer." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after own family. Mrs. Toller serenely. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "So it appears." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy of a light. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible populous neighbourhood." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." laugh and put his lips to my ear. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been tell him that I know him to be innocent." "What office?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to read it out to me." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "But his lameness?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he becomes even more simple." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "But she could not love him." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. out." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any kindly on the shoulder. "And how?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled works. See paragraph 1.E below. envelope. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that your room." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "By no means." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I don't say that. Perhaps." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers danger is over." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but stepfather?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Eyford." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not promised to bring home. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag writing, and yet I know it well." the morning and make my own way in the world.' the little opening for the ventilator is." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Miss Holder?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything will take you up to see the machine.' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" II. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "By train from Waterloo." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we yet." in a friendly supper." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind was used.' began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose in one or two places in England?' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. pierced for earrings?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative fat-encircled eyes. followed. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" place of silver." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Not him." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in the port of London." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Pope's Court. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my how narrow had been my escape. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But what is it you wish?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that?' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Very well, sir. And this stone?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely past. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey place, I think that there is good ground to think that the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he conversation I have gathered that they have been married about was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "It is solved." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then the page we have seen--" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the Red-headed League." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." photograph?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the said I. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "No doubt you think me mad?" said he.