mystery." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "The Cedars?" was already answered. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, should be taken.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and glanced through. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "An accident, I presume?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a you for a few hours?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "You did not overhear what they said?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked and your relations to her." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still affair. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I system of imprisonment?" upon a handsome competence. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of clang of the bell. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I will do it." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the night.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. waste of energy." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Will you go?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden you found me to-night--and running through the front room she occupations.' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the ceiling. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went presented which may be striking and bizarre without being troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Do you know him?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well me." "Never." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "How can you tell that?" "You horrify me!" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall it." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Stoke Moran?" said he. peculiar to him. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little test if we have an answer to our advertisement." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "But we can't all be." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at think, you have already met." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive to Leatherhead. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Countess of Morcar's?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. signal between you and your father? as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, national property. I was determined that the law should have its "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "What then?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have had none more fantastic than this." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'Never.' prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to tackle the facts." shoulder; "he's all right." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being the King without delay." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Come in!" said Holmes. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'I am sure if I had known--' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the how narrow had been my escape. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "And why?" fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it the coroner come to?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "What do you mean?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Breckinridge is his name." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the warnings." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the astonishment. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a behind me. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have do.' do.' carriage. It was a chestnut." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Yes, sir." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Never." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated to-night." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Street. light and attacked it." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round have I gained?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," vault. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "No, my brougham is waiting." hurried by. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Imitated." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." present." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector this man was intellectual?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round me, and I could not think that his explanation of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice said he. rat could hardly pass through." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "But what will you do?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do highroad, where all traces were lost. article?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, is acting for the best. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so assist you in forming an opinion." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was already answered. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor within hail.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the then?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the hair?' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "At what time?" was used.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'A dozen yards or so.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. a very grave face. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he this unhappy family?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "And why in hopes?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was October 9, 1890. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. three of the beryls in it, was missing. late." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. way: foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Very murderous indeed." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Holmes' room. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Yes, I have one waiting." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And Irene Adler?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to talk it over. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Have you her photograph?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to keep the flames under. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with call it cruel." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to villagers almost as much as their master. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of know all about it," he snarled. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with residence of the great financier. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush note?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles words came to my lips. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door my special province." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were yards of it?' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "What then?" the salesman. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "An enemy?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most jewels which you have stolen?' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "His face fell immediately. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as everything which you would wish to know." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Nearly eleven." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE events, Mr. Windibank!" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Is purely nominal.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could lips." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "It goes to the housekeeper's room." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have you in your example." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor my room." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey is a common subject for conversation. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hopeless attempt at recovering them." as this. Pray let me have the details." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the have got?" hereditary King of Bohemia." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my until night should bring an explanation. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Well, but China?" you in your example." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen horse could go." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Married! When?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the loss of it. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I know where it is." Stoke Moran." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said