so far?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "But of what society?" said Mr. Holder. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I held the little printed slip to the light. and no precautions can guard against." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the outbreak?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "But to whom?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "You are hungry," I remarked. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Come in!" said Holmes. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a mysterious business." been shamefully used." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was or other trace. But how on earth--" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness leaning back in his chair. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. of the vacancies.' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of questionable one." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' felt the room to be a little close.' neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No, distinctly professional." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "It missed him, then?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End green of the new foliage. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious enter Dr. Roylott's room." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. himself in a perplexing position. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "'Certainly not.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house intrusion of other matters." had a long day." third from London." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Where to?' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess I was concerned in it." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Street. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. not within a twentieth part of the market price." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on roused himself from his reverie. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it towards the blaze. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB your co-operation." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in stammered. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are exactly what you advise." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they bird I ate is country bred." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom was the fact that his father should, according to his account, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor breakfast." highroad, where all traces were lost. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are disturbance in my wife." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and father's young wife. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself better in every way that they should make their position a little probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain orange pips. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. some terrible trap for her." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "If so, much may have happened between." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the desk. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some night.' said he. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is discontent upon his features. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a village inn over there?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "I beg pardon." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the as yours." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly ill-usage at the hands of fortune. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "None." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her The events in question occurred in the early days of my for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'I have already given you my word.' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." system of imprisonment?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my papers diligently of late, have you not?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Dr. Gregory B. Newby following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where himself in a perplexing position. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it morning." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a get the tickets." "Come in!" said Holmes. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Certainly, madam." way in." to talk it over. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' is acting for the best. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" chance." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Yes." "If so, much may have happened between." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." morning." "No?" until night should bring an explanation. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were point in the dark hollow of his hand. served to weaken the effect. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "No." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Stolen." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I past. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some relief. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes, he did." strength in the others." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to was lame." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you acted in my house last night?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the address that was given us in the advertisement. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "And your father? Did you tell him?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their when your master had gone out." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It's nothing of the kind." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it companion. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' husband's writing, madam." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Yes." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." think, you have already met." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but were unconscious?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in congratulate you again." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'Entirely.' "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk considering the formidable letters which were received by himself police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the late." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman again on its way. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had upon the white wrist. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "What will you say?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up already been minutely examined." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was standing smiling on the door-step. "And you thought he was pulled back?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and strode off upon his way. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Thank you. Pray proceed." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Absolutely none." for securing the situation." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "The Coroner: What do you mean? glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Why? What do you mean?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to I am not easy in my mind about them." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out child?' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham some city in a dream. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "And I say east," said my patient. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'About the same.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who chemical work which was so dear to him. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going was shining brightly.