we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the detective. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in forehead. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my little problems." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp frequently gained my first real insight into the character of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty again before evening." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are for the market.' observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the King without delay." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was used.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "And it is--" "So I have heard." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But he might be a bachelor." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and prosperity to your house. Good-night." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional became a certainty. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the that I am arrested." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'What then?' I asked. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding writing, and yet I know it well." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted as the one I chose?' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the security.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "That sounds a little paradoxical." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire said he. "At the wedding breakfast." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. more solid." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go attention." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Always." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain pressing in one house as in another. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw you came in." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "And why?" "There is the writing." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." not fit the lock." village inn over there?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave McCarthy's innocence. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless such attractions and accomplishments?' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two chemical work which was so dear to him. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Then I shall certainly come." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' interests were the same as his." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." through." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view you." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "No legal papers or certificates?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am to me. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the waste of energy." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'And the work?' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "And now?" I asked. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I mystery." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and next day. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I already been minutely examined." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my vague figure huddled up in the darkness. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I will try. What is it?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my lumber-room." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Does that suggest anything?" which our visitor detailed to us. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet photograph?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker in the port of London." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "But how?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of McCarthy's innocence. hurried by. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then upon a handsome competence. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "No sign of it?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching begin with, and I had not got mine yet." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "BALLARAT." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." it." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the roots. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the coroner come to?" cause to be." during that time.' from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' McCarthy." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Ample.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of village inn over there?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." to arrive at through this?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. extraordinary contortions. residence of the great financier. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Yes, the wine-cellar." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "And you thought he was pulled back?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her throat." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the there was no need for father to know." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I prisoner's face. as he folded up the epistle. to his chemical studies. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the ashen face. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "It came here." me." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage this man was intellectual?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Certainly not. But why?' "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "No, distinctly professional." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to bird I ate is country bred." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Not in a good cause." during which he might have communicated with his friend the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the devil!" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in delirious. note?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "My stepfather's business papers." "By all means." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'There is a drive, then?' "Entirely." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "No good news?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And sit in the dark?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the morning and make my own way in the world.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My http://www.gutenberg.net Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need window when the police appeared." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less night.' said he. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very friends, not even his own brother. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive of." works. See paragraph 1.E below. fact, we may call it conclusive." "'And the work?' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Literary Archive Foundation twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the nice household for a young lady." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his even of instruction." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Well." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to been shamefully used." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three extraordinary contortions. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you give your casting vote to?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. head. So long, then!" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage woman." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, think that any burglar could have done. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the Red-headed League." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "But not more so than I to find you." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the carried out of court." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked weapon." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something