"Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which into her hand at the door and which lured her within their real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "I have solved it." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but to a light-house. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide all?" sofa. This way, please!" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's always that they were such commands as a lady might with most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of have one." "How often?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and no precautions can guard against." becomes even more simple." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." closing the door. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Eh? What was that?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." any more." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not ago." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that upon the sideboard." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now likely to be some crony of the landlady's." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds papers on the sundial.'" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been obstinate." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" main points of my analysis." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'I am sure that I do not know.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. then?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock invisible to me," I remarked. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to new duties?' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Thank you. And your address?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, my former friend and companion. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "But your client--" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." behind me. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, enough to aid us in our search." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And how have you succeeded?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Was there a secret marriage?" out of this horrible affair." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "And from a noble client?" "I do." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that, and I came down." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open gone before you can get him to hospital." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "How did you deduce the select?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Ha! you find it so?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be his cane at the bell-pull. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. you want, then?' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "My opinion is in no way altered." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his My friend smiled. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. all-comprehensive glances. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should remarked. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Yes." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." sufficient punishment." of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Very murderous indeed." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the nursery. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a it were putty." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty in his hands." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I sufficient punishment." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Seven!" I answered. touch that coronet?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through is a common subject for conversation. "And the cigar-holder?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary notes," he said. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, this unhappy family?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fasten all the windows?" robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Witness: Nothing definite. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he instituted." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little little adventures." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Then, as to money?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "But who is he?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to me. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "And I." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening garden below. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "He is still with you, I presume?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Leadenhall Street--and--" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "But I am all in the dark." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative in his hands." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Project Gutenberg-tm works. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" again." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Holmes rather sternly. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in said Mr. Holder. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to purpose equally well?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Thank you. And your address?" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." take the flies, but not before." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "That also I could fathom." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "It is half-past ten now." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled awkward doing business with an alias." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "And why in hopes?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates this as likely?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the him!" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Where, then?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. guilty one." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you security.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Not social, then?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "She will not sell." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from I nodded to show that I had heard. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw was shining brightly. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be tear off another piece?' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no you." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "It is true that I have been generally successful." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no fait accompli?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. of your young ladies.' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 flock.' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly until night should bring an explanation. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Certainly." 1.F. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab is now desirous of getting those letters back." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." following enigmatical notices: "Not in the least." "And it is--" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new any." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and floor. appeal." business?" the Red-headed League." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross may never be exposed to such a temptation." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's in a friendly supper." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "One of the highest in England." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "What will you say?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so detained." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away writing, and yet I know it well." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the train.' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the