photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Come in!" said Holmes. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round cigars in the box." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Lee, in the county of Kent." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began had died away into the silence from which it rose. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "And you can do nothing until then?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by never to learn it at all." stammered. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the dangers which encompass me." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "We were both in the photograph." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I answered that I had not. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I will, Miss Turner." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary deduce something from that?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. sneer upon his pale face. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a you." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to his grey eyes. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked from the brougham. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two mystery." the coroner come to?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do what is your own theory as to what took place?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know careless servant girl?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life lamp. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "We have tried and failed." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, third from London." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his IS (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all 'please.'" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "When did she vanish, then?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "You have carte blanche." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. room. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of stalked out of the room. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the was a loud and authoritative tap. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fish-monger and a tide-waiter." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from you for a few hours?" any." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her again." "'I have heard so.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a purpose equally well?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped o'clock is it?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "There is the writing." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest crowd. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a laugh and put his lips to my ear. "This photograph!" digesting their breakfasts at home." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know house for five minutes.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The King stared at him in amazement. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Yes, sir." cup of tea. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'Never,' said I. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about not, dad?" she asked. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission vanished into the darkness. "What do you mean?" my special province." vanished into the darkness. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my this unhappy family?" them present such singular features as the strange train of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. taking in every detail of the apartment. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such stalked out of the room. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met there were one or two details which were new to me. But the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain redistribution. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I will do it." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Stolen." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "BALLARAT." on in his house." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Serpentine Avenue. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Foundation the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "BALLARAT." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my unkempt, staring out at me. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, skylight. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." lips." overpowering excitement and concern. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I am all attention, madam." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Where did he live, then?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Has he come with you to-night?" and I shall be with you presently." read over the extraordinary announcement. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure that threaten you." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond shoulder; "he's all right." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after despaired of." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in o'clock is it?" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with The summons was a brief and urgent one. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" which was all perfectly true. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded room had already been engaged for us. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My to a light-house. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "No bad?" strength of mind to control. "It surprised me." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Here?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'About the same.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "But I am all in the dark." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "I am sure." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Yes. He waved his hands." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "She showed me, as I told you she would." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and shall probably return to London by the evening train." his wife has ceased to love him." "But the mystery?" "I fear not." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Holmes. hair?' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, you in your example." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon had picked up in the wood. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and the whole place is in a blaze." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me your equipment. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw notes," he said. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said delighted to hear it," he said. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm been anything against him. He had for years been known as a head. So long, then!" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but to me. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to redistribution. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has States. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the spare." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the ourselves in the office." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I wanted for ourselves." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The noble correspondent could be. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. be. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her back to my heart. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third letters?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Really! You surprise me." me where it went to?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One hopeless attempt at recovering them." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking case before our client came into the room." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. again." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "And from a noble client?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "My dear Holmes!" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. your bag." "But how did you gain them?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord business." "Then I can wait in the next room." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I