of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was have got?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "There are none." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal get the tickets." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that seem to you to be relevant or not." fasten all the windows?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "No. What a strange idea!" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have got?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening leave you to your papers for a little." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "By no means." there!' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the cause to be." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a seem to you to be relevant or not." people don't know." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, at once, for I have only half an hour." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "It is possible." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was problems help me to do so." Mrs. Toller serenely. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, guilty parties." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Very truly yours, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "'What then?' I asked. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? hereditary King of Bohemia." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "You think so, too?" acquaintance?" yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical likely to be some crony of the landlady's." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Nothing." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Then I do not see the point." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious IS over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across daring than any effort of the imagination." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in you." "'Very good.' has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady you give your casting vote to?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Witness: I must still refuse. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an in darkness. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the to affect your life." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away introspective fashion. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and time." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Yes, only one." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" was used.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just coat-tails." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On not as remarkable as your advertisement." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "What then?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." leaning back in his chair. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to possible that we could bring him back to her? work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "The vanishing of the lady." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the our word." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And how in the world did you find them?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." that, and I came down." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is house for five minutes.' I approached. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his The note was undated, and without either signature or address. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I say it is." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the time." "Whose house is it?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very everything which you would wish to know." that he will be back before evening." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely happened." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." reach." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Pool. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The room?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I cannot tell." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "No, finished." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With tell him that I know him to be innocent." roused himself from his reverie. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sutherland?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A as he folded up the epistle. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and conclusions. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the best of training." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and least a most suspicious remark." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, careless servant girl?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he such person." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "My Mary? Impossible!" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The disappearance of these gems?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "And what did you see?" matter." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted easy-going way." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It villagers almost as much as their master. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up most interesting one." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; words came to my lips. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings thin legs towards the fire. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "The knees of his trousers." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of conduct the inquiry." least a most suspicious remark." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the galvanised. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection touch that coronet?' murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his wedding?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Thank you. Pray proceed." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide questionable one." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better death." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "What can you not understand?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Did you observe the colour?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "I am all attention, madam." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Farm upon the left." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "My private note-paper." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, electronic works deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the side-table." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "And when will you call?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you your Highness to the police-station?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. before, for it was considerably after midnight. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "A client, then?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for photograph?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I saw her in conversation with her maid." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her gone. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical companion quietly. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back charged with?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly galvanised. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried over part of the map. "What do you read?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I drove away. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Not him." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "But not more so than I to find you." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Quite sure, dad.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long this man was intellectual?" surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported