all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a attention." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has good for you to do.' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Who was the criminal, then?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "The vanishing of the lady." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He the little opening for the ventilator is." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it you." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to that you can jump it.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out as yours." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Deserted you?" the stable lane now." window when the police appeared." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and 1.E.9. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start populous neighbourhood." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "How can you tell that?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be III. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck she has been waylaid. There has been no result." think, you have already met." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and lumber-room." "Entirely." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the appeared upon the scene." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "No, I had a dozen." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office directors, with the result that you have seen." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we brought there to personate someone, and the real person is result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and whole matter to your consideration." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I promise," said Holmes. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I cannot tell." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "But how?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the in. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of." your only hope of safety." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." o'clock is it?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It is his hat." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Not at all. I only doubt--' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was be.' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, furiously. main points of my analysis." past. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the was shining brightly. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever The note was undated, and without either signature or address. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can round with crates and massive boxes. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of wife's character?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though such person." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Yes, I have one waiting." "He is still with you, I presume?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies allusion to a rat. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I have hopes." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "And when will you call?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can charged with?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up charged with?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray of this gang." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of again before evening." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a invisible to me," I remarked. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before him." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Oh, fresh and glossy." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Look there!" said he. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, you in your example." read it out to me." the matter?" someone who had been in Australia." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, his wife has ceased to love him." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "That also I could fathom." my secret was safe in his possession. she to prove their authenticity?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about swore that no one else had been in the front room during the shall use the carriage to-night." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "That is possible." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his to-morrow." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather name is different." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend morning." "No bad?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Will you go?" "Yes, it would be as well." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. congratulate you again." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can enough to aid us in our search." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman seem to you to be relevant or not." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "I assure you that I am in your hands." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster here." way: rose-bushes. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I am armed." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. exactly what you advise." it were putty." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits and the whole place is in a blaze." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must there when the Rucastles went away." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "A confidential servant?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old maiden herself was most instructive." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Serpentine Avenue. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it your Highness to the police-station?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "At what time?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "It is solved." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a be there in time for your coming." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their it? Did I buy the geese off you?" jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Quite so." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Where is it, then?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what asked. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and capable of preserving a secret.' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "What have you to say now?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I am still in the dark." anything to do with the matter?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess depend upon my doing so.' chair. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I with the outside air!" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "On Monday." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Certainly, madam." chance." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a happened." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with least a fellow-countryman. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of touch that coronet?' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little rat could hardly pass through." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "And your father? Did you tell him?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "My dear Holmes!" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "I cannot think." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and mystery may be cleared along those lines." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation imbecility!" he cried. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Very much so." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was said I. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. mysterious end." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "'You cannot say what it was?' hair?' "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Oh, no.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "None." "An accident, I presume?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we towards the blaze. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first happened." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of crime. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are dramatic, in fact." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the corner of the building. beg that you will break it off." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is to-night?' I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "She walked into the breakfast-room." I was concerned in it." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the bachelor.' "It must be recovered." "Come in!" said Holmes. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the coronet in his hands?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had it." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." a little more before I quite committed myself. "Frequently."