significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock papers." business?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him formed some opinion?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in do." Henry Baker is a member." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your I am not easy in my mind about them." suddenly upon us." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and laid it on the table. the roots. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of went to the Alpha were town bred." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." burst out into a roar of laughter. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would emerged. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, careless servant girl?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be room?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' light and attacked it." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Then let me do so?' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I stammered. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "A client, then?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Holmes' face clouded over. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "On Monday." delirious. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear case before our client came into the room." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "My stepfather's business papers." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who bill, which interests me deeply." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. he bowed and left the room without another word. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Farm upon the left." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste may never be exposed to such a temptation." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country there is a decided draught." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at pressing in one house as in another. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the stable lane now." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Witness: It was. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew fishes. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "That you are never beaten." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. must compliment you." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we taking in every detail of the apartment. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk soul! here is her carriage at the door." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at for securing the situation." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Nothing." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Henry Baker is a member." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Then you may entirely rely on me." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a tapping his fingers upon the table. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "What I expected to see." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The other means.' "Oh, yes, easily." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective intrusion of other matters." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "'Is purely nominal.' chance." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I have seen the police." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged was not a bird to be seen there. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." colour had been driven from his face. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," is worth.' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number hour." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my drawing your inferences." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several leave you to your papers for a little." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her how narrow had been my escape. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than for securing the situation." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De present." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be again." was already answered. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. papers." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Come in!" said Holmes. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: invisible to me," I remarked. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to have that photograph." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "'I am sure if I had known--' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious any." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Entirely." was keenly on my guard against him. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. so.' came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "What, then, did Peterson do?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter ourselves in the office." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Then, as to money?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "None." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden bed dies. Does not that strike you?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Where to?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he you give your casting vote to?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a guilty parties." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "What! You do not mean bodies?" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the night.' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his better grown goose." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Where, then, is my wife?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I don't believe it." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, License. You must require such a user to return or in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had all that?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the bachelor.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'Quite sure, dad.' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving about here speaks of his kindness to him." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so for the market.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Which dealer's?' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No, I had a dozen." "10th. John Swain cleared. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I am armed." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I cannot imagine." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "My dear Holmes!" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a suggestive one." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "To an end?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "No good news?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for through." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Arthur Conan Doyle There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the man. I know him from the photograph." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture name is different." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a cause to be." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'I shall certainly be there.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting You want to know what became of those geese?" this poor creature." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door