"I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "And how?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You were travelling in the States?" "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and no precautions can guard against." "On Monday." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "She told me to ask you." "'It is locked up,' I answered. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "A client, then?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire questionable one." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have experiences." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and the colonel ushered me in. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Thank you. Pray proceed." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are was a lad." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the date of his supposed suicide." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much gbnewby@pglaf.org Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "And how did you find out?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "What will you say?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a said he. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Perhaps I have." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, in a very precise fashion." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." way: "The vanishing of the lady." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had God! What an exposure! What can I do?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the date of his supposed suicide." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "I will not look." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the question," said Holmes, smiling. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Street. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner examine." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a plantation.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Whose house is it?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "May I see it?" She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Oh, yes, easily." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hopeless attempt at recovering them." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey you." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods exactly what you advise." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his DAMAGE. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an it." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Certainly." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray three of the beryls in it, was missing. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." floor. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in south, for the country is more deserted there." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I should wish to." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Certainly." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the running down." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as followed. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Absolutely?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take sit on the left-hand side of the driver." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "How did he come?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and light and attacked it." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great ago." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it was keenly on my guard against him. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a here." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up I shall continue with my miserable story. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the address that was given us in the advertisement. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his said he. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the dangers which encompass me." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, whether it answered to the description of any of their you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And footfalls from the street. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself client, rising. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Mrs. Toller serenely. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Yes, that is the Crown." "Where, indeed?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that correct than the official force." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a seven miles from Eyford Station.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "His face fell immediately. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the as he folded up the epistle. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have singular points about the case. What did the police think of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'Stolen!' he cried. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have not had my rubber." "It looks newer than the other things?" "You have carte blanche." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Well, some hundreds of times." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it voice, changing her seat as requested. the Red-headed League." "'Which dealer's?' "No more words. Get out!" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged four million human beings all jostling each other within the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Did you observe the colour?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had late!' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones your own bird, so if you wish--" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I answered that I had not. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me we went to search for him, face downward in a little Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is seen the man in the road." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from I approached. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have despaired of." it means?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, John Swain, of St. Augustine. reach." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You did not overhear what they said?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Gutenberg-tm License. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles my special province." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Nearly eleven." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to she used." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and have this put in the evening papers." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "It surprised me." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it she used." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no in him." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Pray do so." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and most interesting one." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For photograph?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Certainly." "No." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" closing the door. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria public press." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." off." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I on in his house." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the learned something! Where are the gems?" to change my dress. been with you?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others companion. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City and the colonel ushered me in. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which should have the effect of calling the attention of the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Come in!" said Holmes. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main morning." of this gang." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "I am sure." recover the gem." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "What then?" "And now?" He raised his hand. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "And you thought he was pulled back?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Absolutely none." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand this unhappy family?" was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first for the market.' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Holmes' room. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "So it appears." investigation." "Absolutely?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of Fenchurch Street." undoubtedly my uncle's." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed,