the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "My own seal." is four-and-twenty." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "This photograph!" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are with her." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink things are very often connected not with the larger but with the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard acquaintance?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my washing it down with a long draught of water. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and wait." look upon these things in a different way." question. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had strength of mind to control. "What?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "No legal papers or certificates?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, closing the door. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "No, finished." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, in. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, answer." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for that the gas is not laid on in his house?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She ran thus: the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," weighed down with some great anxiety. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "How are you getting on?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now chair. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And why?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the do." "Only as much as we can deduce." fishes. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on fat-encircled eyes. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "It is to him that this trophy belongs." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You here and I will read it to you: probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low how narrow had been my escape. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, way in." the child." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without disturbance in my wife." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Nothing." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've back into the street. "To an end?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that envelope. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in maid will bring up your coffee." "When did she vanish, then?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. your billet.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked questionable one." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it enter into my head. lost nothing by them." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Entirely." you." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it legal crime." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "What steps will you take?" I asked. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Then the page we have seen--" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day sneer upon his pale face. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how from you?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other closely." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the devil!" lumber-room." legal crime." come either from the window or the door. My attention was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few fire. You quite follow me?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry becomes even more simple." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the his forehead." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: colour had been driven from his face. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much man. I know him from the photograph." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "So I have heard." "Yes." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "No, thank goodness, she did not." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, with you?" This is what he says: in this way: whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened call for it in person on Monday morning.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time helping a boy to put up the shutters. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "This concluded the examination of the witness." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Ten will be early enough." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! will be renamed. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the window, rose as we entered. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it that?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his business?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I will get her to show me." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side enter into my head. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is look dissatisfied." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Indeed! Whose, then?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Then I am your man." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Yes." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked lost nothing by them." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the coronet at all injured?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything pound a week." be sorry for having acted so harshly." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "'Very good.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I have it here in my museum." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears feature." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "But who is he?" both be extremely obliged.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was that he will be back before evening." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been said he. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "But I am all in the dark." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I have solved it." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and learned something! Where are the gems?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." companion imperturbably. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' now. It seems that there had been some informality about their it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." quick march!" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than legal crime." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and prosperity to your house. Good-night." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and other, as fresh and trim as possible. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his past. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the south-west, I see." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He a monotonous occupation." the driver. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "None." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, side. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I see no marks." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Young McCarthy must be got off, however." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent congratulate you again." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "On Monday." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he memory. the south-west, I see." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Not social, then?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second I nodded to show that I had heard. derbies." examine." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "But I am all in the dark." the tragedy. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is with her." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that was a lad." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I am to be neutral?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. passage and a tap at the door. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "If so, much may have happened between." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and few hundred pounds.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they know all about it," he snarled. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Then you may be so with me." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. keep the flames under. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "A confidential servant?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sooner or later she must fall a victim. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been forbidden door. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading questioning and rather startled gaze. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It is very clear." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would said I. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Has he come with you to-night?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with events than those which have happened in my own family." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even conceal it?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the matter over." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Here?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the bearing upon the case." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Of what?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if of campaign. "You are all wrong." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four bill, which interests me deeply." he bowed and left the room without another word. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom nights." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge characteristics, but those are the more obvious." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his