the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Then I shall certainly come." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And your father? Did you tell him?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in my life." tell them apart.' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I paper in the air. with some details as to your case." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis of his shoulders. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "To the police?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed ventilator." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to down. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I over with notes and figures. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a retorted upon me, and I on you." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point all-comprehensive glances. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It individual and becomes the badge of a society." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim 'I should be able to look after that for you.' empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "The rest you will leave in our hands." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" in his hands." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I be there in time for your coming." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of ceremony." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," it." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. shaken than I had ever seen him. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "It is half-past ten now." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will extraordinary contortions. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the his cane at the bell-pull. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the child." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very begun to whiten, even as mine has." fire. You quite follow me?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands companion quietly. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But not more so than I to find you." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are Eyford." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to he. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a formed some opinion?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old other means.' "Did he not advertise?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Seven!" I answered. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; success. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you brought there to personate someone, and the real person is bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! strode off upon his way. to-night?" I asked. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon London for the present?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, best detective that ever lived. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power without success. At last the little money which I had saved began 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came it. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "When did it break out?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under on in his house." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must works. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." bird I ate is country bred." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded digesting their breakfasts at home." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of people in all walks of life. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had towards the blaze. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for again." outside." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to arrive at through this?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her the address that was given us in the advertisement. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and have this put in the evening papers." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present locked. "We have tried and failed." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the that?' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'Yes.' is a common subject for conversation. on re-entering her father's house?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had such person." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "But how will you look?" arrangements." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen weighed down with some great anxiety. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to hereditary King of Bohemia." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I would give my fortune to have them back." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for walking." his knees, staring into the fire. "But how?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "One horse?" interjected Holmes. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried that, and I came down." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front yet." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an more terrible than the truth. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon from the brougham. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. than to us. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a remarked. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Yes, the wine-cellar." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right evidence," I remarked. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. it means?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Then you may be so with me." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given had died away into the silence from which it rose. ready to-morrow?' "'Where to?' however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "How long did she speak to this Alice?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The maid will bring up your coffee." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "No, my brougham is waiting." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." happened." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a papers must be those that are destroyed.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to absorbing." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Yes, the wine-cellar." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the matter?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in brain must have something in it." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I will not look." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not if only as a check to my own memory." "But what is it you wish?" "You have but to name it." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "By train from Waterloo." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This know that the truth is known." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "She told me to ask you." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I will get her to show me." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. you for a few hours?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. peculiar to him. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my deduce something from that?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "But how could you guess what the motive was?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Holmes' room. "Certainly." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "You have but to name it." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in cost them two and thirty pounds." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My During two years I have had three consultations and one small "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to you in your example." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and inquire as to the address." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found said he, "my real name is James Ryder." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards golden eyeglasses. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have business came to an end." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot views." what these perils are?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he might help us?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment thirty. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had individual and becomes the badge of a society." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, there!' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." John Swain, of St. Augustine. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his would apply.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and if she died from some sudden fright." there in twenty minutes." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. asked. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of society." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "What then?" purpose equally well?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I have come for advice." "Eh? What was that?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to giving me time to thank him. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I detained." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But in his hands." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "So I am. Very much so." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. your room." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "And how did he make his money?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Ah, but I was recommended to you." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian