that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very singular points about the case. What did the police think of the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is desk. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, trying to your nerves." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Did you observe the colour?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Does that suggest anything?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'And the work?' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "An enemy?" "I will try. What is it?" "Not I." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. lamp in his hand. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum any." writers could invent nothing more crude." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "But who is he?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "By no means." forebodings. I took the paper from him and read as follows: public press." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, could not have written that. It is the German who is so concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Yes." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was reach." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "One of the highest in England." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Will you bet, then?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "None. Neville wrote those words." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "It must be recovered." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We learned something! Where are the gems?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a vague figure huddled up in the darkness. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed Pool. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I least a most suspicious remark." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "By no means." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Foundation would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Yes." my room." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Has he come with you to-night?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to business came to an end." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" writer." papers on the sundial.'" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Did your wife hear all this?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." himself to hunt down. "But he might be a bachelor." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Sutherland?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "'And what salary do you ask?' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You have a clue?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I shall be delighted." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and remarked. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "But she will refuse." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church eat it." his grey eyes. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. prepare for the new role I have to play." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Where, then?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill interest. They are important, you understand, without being revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital knowledge of the world." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the asked with his eyes open. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Seven!" I answered. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the may have an influence upon European history." "I have hopes." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "'Entirely.' years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "The King of Scandinavia." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were noble correspondent could be. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I coat-tails." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Not particularly." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Yes." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my wife's character?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "None." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Two days later this same performance was gone through under office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back drawing your inferences." quite distinctive." make me his representative both with the servants and with the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. mysterious end." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "When did it break out?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he morning." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want do." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Then I can wait in the next room." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole may have an influence upon European history." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "What are they?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly certainly not very gracious." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are approach us with offers to donate. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Nothing?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Ten will be early enough." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, so far?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "It is his hat." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 outside. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed in your London, you will know that the office of the company is shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the as this. Pray let me have the details." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I never have." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'You cannot say what it was?' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how daring than any effort of the imagination." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. row." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your down from London to inquire more deeply into it." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'What are you doing there?' he asked. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I conceal it?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle which our visitor detailed to us. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these was lame." go from here to the Strand." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the about. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." forbidden door. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, your room." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another way: the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is that before taking the final step I should like to submit the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. a suggestive one." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "I was sure that I might rely on you." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his tassel actually lying upon the pillow. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "I say it is." I leave." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had his wife has ceased to love him." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each corner of the building. look dissatisfied." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during will he say when he returns?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest meanly of me." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Is he quiet?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your cigar and let me expound." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "How did you trace it, then?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Have you it here?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which are rolled in Rotterdam." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Murdered?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the cigars in the box." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Where is it, then?"