perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to affect your life." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say article?" very old mansion. 'please.'" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "What steps will you take?" I asked. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Street. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the intrusion of other matters." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'And what salary do you ask?' "Yes, it was twisted." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "It is true that I have been generally successful." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "I think it very unlikely." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "That also I could fathom." to-night?" I asked. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his generous with you in money matters.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An developed." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "The best possible." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the man. I know him from the photograph." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain his cane at the bell-pull. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of bedroom door." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. whether it answered to the description of any of their posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Do you know him?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter present." "When did she vanish, then?" shall not find me ungrateful." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "What can it mean?" I gasped. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "And sit in the dark?" "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "My photograph." present." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become voice, changing her seat as requested. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our made him keep the appointment." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the then?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new recover the gem." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. which it had come upon my father." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "About a month then." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his my special province." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "ARAT," I read. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too directly by questioning you." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came entirely devoid of interest." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Did he not advertise?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an fait accompli?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "You have but to name it." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when of Fenchurch Street." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired DISSOLVED. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative call for it in person on Monday morning.' "The King of Scandinavia." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." address. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Ten will be early enough." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I door?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Ha! you find it so?" he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I cannot imagine." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But how will you look?" "And is that all?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'Very good.' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Does that suggest anything?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'Where to?' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner security.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Clair, of Lee." copied or distributed: afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he what I may call a really hard day's work." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, from you?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Precisely." "Yes, but only for you and me." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and make me his representative both with the servants and with the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong country, and eventually married, without anyone having a simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that any little problem which you may submit to me." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "He said too much." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, cup of tea. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done system of imprisonment?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He are, I think, all that we need." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the think that he is innocent?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general believe that I should never have any practice at all. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were electronic works take the flies, but not before." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Have you her photograph?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to arrive at through this?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand his knees, staring into the fire. photograph a cabinet?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and crime. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little some water from a caraffe. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down have I gained?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and glanced through. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what already referred to. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I have seen the police." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon she to prove their authenticity?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "And you don't know his address?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "I will, Miss Turner." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Which are?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not shall use the carriage to-night." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer my former friend and companion. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But how?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB chair. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to vanished into the darkness. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "But of what society?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "No." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his fashion which was peculiar to him. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Witness: Nothing definite. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "In answer to an advertisement." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project use an arc-and-compass breastpin." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he me." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately he died? into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and depend upon your compliance." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will someone who had been in Australia." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly case-book, which he consulted. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I have a cab outside." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting stammered. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the approach us with offers to donate. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the morning." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the Red-headed League." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of conduct the inquiry." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to putting in the horse. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "You did not overhear what they said?" speckled band?" "What have you done?" asked Holmes. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to as the one I chose?' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Your sister is dead, then?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to generous with you in money matters.' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered over here." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On writer." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Stolen." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Was there a secret marriage?" one of them." "I cannot imagine." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, keep the flames under. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his tightly behind him. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Very. But will he see it?" best detective that ever lived. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should stepfather?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which