"'Yes, I promise.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of the coronet in his hands?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those happened." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his lumber-room." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided said he. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened what I may call a really hard day's work." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the salesman. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of national property. I was determined that the law should have its begun to whiten, even as mine has." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "But you have hopes?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "That was it, sir." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe used to be." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Lestrade of Scotland Yard." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my his eyes and forehead. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have open." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes, but only for you and me." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Count Von Kramm." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "It is very kind of you." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and no precautions can guard against." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried ready to-morrow?' "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very gigantic client. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "She walked into the breakfast-room." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a It may be so in this case, also." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I mystery may be cleared along those lines." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'What then?' I asked. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I cannot imagine." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or woman." "It is solved." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "'Certainly not.' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power It may be so in this case, also." "Then, how do you know?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the general public were present, then?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "And why in hopes?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'Why that?' I asks. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "How often?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Then, as to money?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of receipt of the work. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'There is a drive, then?' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal works. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to talk it over. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "How often?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Well, it is a possible supposition." in a friendly supper." "And leave your case unfinished?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the back to my heart. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his fuss that is made over them." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, hardly wander." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an this unhappy family?" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a chance." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Not in the least." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and lamp. have established a very serious case against the son of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for astonishment. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against definite end. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You were travelling in the States?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his eat it." "Only as much as we can deduce." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the running down." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I assure you that I am in your hands." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the for and were ordered to this address. you." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion call you and give you the chance." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "My stepfather's business papers." becomes even more simple." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out she has been waylaid. There has been no result." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." foot. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really to me. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "An accident, I presume?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very gone. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Yes, it was twisted." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and a shock of very red hair. fashion which was peculiar to him. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the so-precious time, but come!' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, both be extremely obliged.' business at Coburg Square is serious." "Will you go?" "In which, sir?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets how narrow had been my escape. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and started for the Temple to see my husband. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we of the way of danger. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped your bag." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked call the police, let the police find what they can.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "And how did you verify them?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "He is dead," cried several voices. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this said I. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the driver. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Certainly,' I answered. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with any more." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "We must have a cab." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the third from London." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day drove away. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email The King stared at him in amazement. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done silent! Oh, he will be silent!' charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." said Mr. Holder. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the returned to France?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. to have been novel and of interest." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I cannot say that I have." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the allusion to a rat. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. in. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." papers on the sundial.'" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon mysterious end." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "The best possible." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Lee, in the county of Kent." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Her father is very rich?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his over with notes and figures. dear old homesteads?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. indeed happy." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'Certainly not. But why?' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had children over to America with him, so that I found myself without was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known that he has suffered." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the tell me that you intended to go into harness." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in go--none." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have key of the affair now." was feeling which was the fattest.' beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very to have been novel and of interest." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the keep the flames under. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Married! When?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the any little problem which you may submit to me." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle not personally threatened." floor. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards seen the man in the road." the best of training." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and foresight and the moral retrogression?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is no ordinary one." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded me." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some at my remark. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an the devil!" "'Entirely.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage miles off. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double upon a handsome competence. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." License. You must require such a user to return or expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' meant it for the best. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. residence of the great financier. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. may never be exposed to such a temptation." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable than was visible to me." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. future lives." you?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying said he. ashen face. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'Which dealer's?' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is dead, shall be safe with us." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Literary Archive Foundation "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in less than 26s. 4d. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "That sounds a little paradoxical." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. call for it in person on Monday morning.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "So I am. Very much so." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Then, as to money?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and washing it down with a long draught of water. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' overpowering excitement and concern. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us present." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms room?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for