his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as seven miles from Eyford Station.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up derbies." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fatally injured? the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees recover the gem." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Holmes' room. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even what these perils are?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Yes, there are nearly always some there." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Where, indeed?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San one of the states of the Union." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it with the outside air!" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between impression behind it as though a window had gently closed His name is Francis Prosper." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I round and wave him away like that.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "You have carte blanche." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his window when the police appeared." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Never,' said I. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass always that they were such commands as a lady might with important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The you." be. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was rat could hardly pass through." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have little trying to do so much typewriting?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to followed. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "To ruin me." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. better grown goose." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Very truly yours, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most stammered. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he already been minutely examined." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a charge against him will break down." me." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried humiliation." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have his wife has ceased to love him." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "No, I think that I'll take it." speckled band?" "So I have heard." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to affect your life." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a better grown goose." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been was not a bird to be seen there. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to could not have written that. It is the German who is so still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I think that it is very probable." envelope. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." where we are going." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Of what?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The murder was done with it." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it shoulder; "he's all right." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no possible that we could bring him back to her? however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled how narrow had been my escape. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need business at Coburg Square is serious." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a to his chemical studies. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Yes." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety not fit the lock." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable whatever might befall. "No." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was was keenly on my guard against him. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was husband's writing, madam." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the help us in this matter." there!' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "If I can be of use." less than 26s. 4d. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Ten will be early enough." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I will try. What is it?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, occupations.' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Count Von Kramm." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce was already answered. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "How did you deduce the select?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely McCarthy." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "No sign of it?" several quiet little villages up there." McCarthy." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation see me here to avoid scandal." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "My dear Holmes!" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the tragedy. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & my friend's incisive reasoning. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "But how did you gain them?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air companion. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make results." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I shall continue with my miserable story. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "In answer to an advertisement." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not cup of tea. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but 1.E.9. "Game for a morning drive?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal go from here to the Strand." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "And how?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting your only hope of safety." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Very well, sir. And this stone?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. his huge brown hands. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The be there in time for your coming." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'And the work?' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in status with the IRS. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "What are they?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "My stepfather's business papers." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police his huge brown hands. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Entirely." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Of what?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which place, I think that there is good ground to think that the new acquaintance to Baker Street. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left investigation." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his have one." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every bed dies. Does not that strike you?" that "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "That is not always so easy." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Where, then?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his over here." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, his eyes and forehead. you in yours." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' entirely lost his self-respect." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was a lad." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to this unhappy family?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "None. Neville wrote those words." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. had died away into the silence from which it rose. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, memory. "In heaven's name, what for?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall residence of the great financier. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. you." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone hurried away. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I would pay ten." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems