electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "The Coroner: What do you mean? voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap attention." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, here." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "My dear Holmes!" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a directors, with the result that you have seen." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I of campaign. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fishes. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a residence of the great financier. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I been shamefully used." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Not social, then?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. you in yours." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a outside." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "And I." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of presume?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. to that open window." "'Very good.' Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." carpenter." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." not come at once?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set felt the room to be a little close.' as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in were new raised from a basin. footfalls from the street. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the pictures, libraries, or plate. "Yes." detained." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be union?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one daring than any effort of the imagination." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the back into the street. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide cigars in the box." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It will find little credit to be gained out of this case." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered important." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Murdered?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything indeed happy." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle instincts rose up against that laugh. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and wait." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to remarked. chance at all." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how I am not easy in my mind about them." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in bird of prey. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, salesman. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror fear." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "You did not overhear what they said?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." that there was nothing in it, after all." in his hands." "And I to find an enemy." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes as he remarks, very much against the son." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that public press." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without was keenly on my guard against him. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said My friend smiled. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Murdered?" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, I held the little printed slip to the light. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "The doctor?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand was keenly on my guard against him. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical down in his armchair and closing his eyes. 'please.'" joking. "My dear Holmes!" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. these bleak autumnal evenings." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. John Swain, of St. Augustine. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "In heaven's name, what for?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not events, Mr. Windibank!" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. done what I asked you, Jones?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "What have you to say now?" "One of the highest in England." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "The gentleman I describe." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as approach us with offers to donate. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a McCarthy." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. with her." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, grasp, he hurried from the room. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Pray continue your narrative." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility keep the flames under. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "The rest you will leave in our hands." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the I leave." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. know what is wrong with it.' just called myself is not exactly my own." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could your bag." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Very. But will he see it?" emerged. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Oh, yes, easily." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I have it here in my museum." foresight and the moral retrogression?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Certainly." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few the coroner come to?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "And I say east," said my patient. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and that he would see to anything that turned up. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "To the police?" his huge brown hands. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural things are very often connected not with the larger but with the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small delirious. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door again." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his imbecility!" he cried. the matter?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. passage and a tap at the door. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Whose house is it?" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are relation between them, and what the object of his repeated whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "No more words. Get out!" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock do you make of it all?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I cannot as yet see any connection." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this is," said he presently: Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to people don't know." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his think you a quite exceptional woman." bird I ate is country bred." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' only touch the interest." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried a few minutes he said that it would be all right. question," said Holmes, smiling. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And why?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was interested in these little problems, and since you are good delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very less than 26s. 4d. was lame." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey in. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "It is no ordinary one." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the matter." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, himself to hunt down. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here completely overtopped every other consideration that we both furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. carriage. It was a chestnut." went to the Alpha were town bred." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Yes, but only for you and me." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than was shining brightly. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He suddenly upon us." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost lost his Christmas dinner." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the despair." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a closing the door. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "That sounds a little paradoxical." unclasping of his long thin hands. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. entirely lost his self-respect."