black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "It is solved." crackling voice. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Certainly." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning everything which you would wish to know." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to words came to my lips. gone before you can get him to hospital." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, any little problem which you may submit to me." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a his cane at the bell-pull. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." The King stared at him in amazement. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send you do it in twenty minutes!' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at this truth that in these little records of our cases which you us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Lestrade of Scotland Yard." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, papers on the sundial.'" chance." "I was sure that I might rely on you." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met like gravel from a pit.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair such person." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Your presence might be invaluable." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong that annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to go into your room and bar your shutters?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness American. Then who could this American be, and why should he original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. shall not find me ungrateful." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Get out!" said he. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "I would give my fortune to have them back." until night should bring an explanation. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. who was a member of your goose club." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by me." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." knowledge of the world." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "In the cells." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Yes." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that I took the paper from him and read as follows: drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but considering the formidable letters which were received by himself charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my respectable self." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "And I." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "My private note-paper." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "And from a noble client?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "That was it, sir." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" together. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "It surprised me." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Eyford at 11:15.' permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these peculiar to him. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and your relations to her." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the general public were present, then?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. http://www.gutenberg.net evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. salesman. already been minutely examined." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit in his hands." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Is 4 pounds a week.' understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the voice, changing her seat as requested. noting anything else of interest. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of the King without delay." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head legal crime." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. hand, madam?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." interests were the same as his." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' not fit the lock." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house within hail.' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he as noiselessly as she had come. discontent upon his features. "It is no ordinary one." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, unclasping of his long thin hands. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the hurried away. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I don't believe it." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I should like to see him very much." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. shoulder. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed during which he might have communicated with his friend the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Come in!" said Holmes. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "It is possible." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I promise," said Holmes. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I will get her to show me." Serpentine Avenue. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the room while you explain this matter?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the villagers almost as much as their master. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Of Friday, June 19th." a little more before I quite committed myself. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek which it had come upon my father." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Two days later this same performance was gone through under have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a mysterious end." "My dear Holmes!" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the went to the Alpha were town bred." have established a very serious case against the son of the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the populous neighbourhood." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up tension within him. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled at my own good fortune. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of room had already been engaged for us. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "VIOLET HUNTER." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, key of the affair now." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed himself. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass whole matter to your consideration." enough to aid us in our search." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" was already answered. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; she used." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few murdered man." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with prisoner's face. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "A greater distance to travel." "Yes." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His hard-headed British jury." "Yes. He waved his hands." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Never." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few intrusion of other matters." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I his grey eyes. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an friends, not even his own brother. tied." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Perhaps we may make them less so." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you opened the door, and slipped through. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so note?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue information in his hands the value of which he did not himself at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. once more for Briony Lodge. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "But to whom?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Certainly." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and looked back. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is you." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! bare slabs of marble. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and gentleman's clothes. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped that "No sign of it?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, clang of the bell. more solid." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman where Mr. Fordham shows you.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "The landlord of the Alpha." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, more solid." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You think that he is dead?" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, this Miss Turner." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Nothing." affair. companion imperturbably. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. take the flies, but not before." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his key of the affair now." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "There is the writing." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, public press." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for his forehead." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a directly by questioning you." married her." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And how did he make his money?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of written, and locked the door of the office after me. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the