these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that voice. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you His smile broadened. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his fattened it expressly for you.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the disturbance in my wife." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Where, indeed?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by cause to be." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." ago." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Texas, I think." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so not as remarkable as your advertisement." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No, I am descending." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's have been better. It is all right." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And I say east," said my patient. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" sneer upon his pale face. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Always." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. think that any burglar could have done. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." nothing of it?" this as likely?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to-morrow." would then never go into court at all." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us one's self under obligations.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock success. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on breakfast?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man mysterious end." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the whatever might befall. eat it." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "But you were on a friendly footing?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the general public were present, then?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the back to my heart. guilty one." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'I have heard so.' the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, indeed which he could not unravel. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was you do it in twenty minutes!' merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar business." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "And now?" I asked. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And it is--" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to little adventures." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side happened." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were said I. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Yes." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should strength of mind to control. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "But how could you guess what the motive was?" fait accompli?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would how narrow had been my escape. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past matter over." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'Entirely.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, to tell." presented more singular features than that which was associated the Assizes." soul! here is her carriage at the door." photograph a cabinet?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Upon what point?" was used.' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he must be when I saw the door open.' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their eat it." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I am in hopes that she does." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in guilty parties." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Could he throw no light?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with seen the man in the road." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at the coroner come to?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a knowledge of the world." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Have you her photograph?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the when you have done it." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Stoke Moran." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and Munro.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the were unconscious?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid he. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "How can you tell that?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and you." my former friend and companion. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he evidence," I remarked. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I his grey eyes. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see against a man in the prime of life?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Yes." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, back to my heart. "It looks newer than the other things?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Here?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and it need not interfere very much with one's other crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be stammered. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of his face which made him a very different person to the round, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged has little to do with my story." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Where, then?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "What do you make of that, Watson?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were row." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the character. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some so far?" place of silver." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "What will you say?" his huge brown hands. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Certainly, madam." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'It is locked up,' I answered. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an been able to understand it, in a very few words. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said and I shall be with you presently." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I cannot tell." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And help." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "And leave your case unfinished?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could who was a member of your goose club." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and inquire as to the address." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that noble correspondent could be. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Tired-looking or fresh?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple been deceived." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Look there!" said he. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for forecastle of an emigrant ship. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon there!' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss crackling voice. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Do you go out much in society?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in extraordinary contortions. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Imitated." his face which made him a very different person to the round, shoulder. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "The knees of his trousers." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." man. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "His face fell immediately. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who appeared upon the scene." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by prison!" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before bird of prey. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Stoke Moran?" said he. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our prison!" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "None." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting