photograph?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And it is--" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "What then?" "But she will refuse." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. could go. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they companion. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. was shining brightly. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between companion. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found outside." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "I am following you closely," I answered. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I am following you closely," I answered. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do works. See paragraph 1.E below. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 coroner's jury." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which silent! Oh, he will be silent!' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be lost nothing by them." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Bought." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. wedding?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then it." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the present." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something take the flies, but not before." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the reach." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed sparkled upon his finger. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. entirely devoid of interest." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is suggested at once that there must be a communication between the spare." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden placed his cuttings. the coronet in his hands?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do quick march!" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "I should be immensely obliged to you." "What will you say?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I don't say that. Perhaps." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very lost his Christmas dinner." "And why?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent became a certainty. take the flies, but not before." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and have established a very serious case against the son of the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, purpose of examination. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought points in connection with it which never have been, and probably need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Holmes, the busybody!" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. before the coroner and the police-court." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "ARAT," I read. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us kindly on the shoulder. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Which are?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "That is possible." fashion which was peculiar to him. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of jewels which you have stolen?' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable brain must have something in it." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote them, and came down just as you departed. allusion to a rat. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Thank you. Pray proceed." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I beg pardon." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the families. Now for the facts. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy forehead. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Nothing?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen which I could not give. He asked for Alice. detective. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has companion. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. is acting for the best. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and the colonel ushered me in. "But I have heard all that you have heard." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp this remarkable episode. "Well?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "In San Francisco, a year ago." to some other building. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Stolen, then." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Where, then, is my wife?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the other means.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an of the way of danger. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "When did she vanish, then?" "It is very kind of you." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an bears upon the case?" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." one which it was hard to resist. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was kind enough to tell me what I should do." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened emerged. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Eyford." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that six. Come in!" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Then, how do you know?" only touch the interest." cause to be." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to thin legs towards the fire. do.' His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE photograph?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I say that I have solved it." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very house for five minutes.' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any read it out to me." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me from you?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was are, and they are waiting for us." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" her also." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with status with the IRS. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "And you don't know his address?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her who was a member of your goose club." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that putting in the horse. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are but preventing her from injuring another. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Ten to two.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining to some other building. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell nothing with him." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Witness: I must still refuse. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It compunction about shooting them down." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing once more for Briony Lodge. sound at heart." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain one of the states of the Union." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan this unhappy family?" occupations.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend anything to do with the matter?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet fishes. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Absolutely none." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs guilty parties." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, me where it went to?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the father's young wife. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "How about poison?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for back into the street. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, of the one which your family is now devouring." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "It was." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and I shall be with you presently." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his had formerly been in part my own. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced married her." fled together." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred knowledge of the world." "Dirty?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "And how did he make his money?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Look there!" said he. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it? Did I buy the geese off you?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. interests were the same as his." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable fattened it expressly for you.' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire strength." article?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent young Openshaw's." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as despair." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have he. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "What have you to say now?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "But we can't all be." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "That is possible." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been