"'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his gives a meaning to it." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'And the work?' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Ten will be early enough." congratulate you again." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "What of the rat, then?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I answered that I had not. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office south, for the country is more deserted there." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his highroad, where all traces were lost. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE and have this put in the evening papers." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken brain must have something in it." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for one or two very singular points about this room. For example, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the question," said Holmes, smiling. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "I shall be delighted." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered spare." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not other lovers by making love himself." go from here to the Strand." "And you don't know his address?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. beyond words. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "The gentleman I describe." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his letters?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Nothing." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he open." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "What I expected to see." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "That you are never beaten." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in heavy and sharp instrument." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Then you may entirely rely on me." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So when you have done it." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "A confidential servant?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his details." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as confronted him. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, girl said." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "But what is it you wish?" "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, manager. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, imbecility!" he cried. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the matter?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have with her." laugh and put his lips to my ear. matters immensely." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Where is it, then?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Holmes' room. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it hand, madam?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two putting in the horse. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Certainly." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no sit on the left-hand side of the driver." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "And I say east," said my patient. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the occupations.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any the matter." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my have an American origin." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault said he, "my real name is James Ryder." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Which are?" stalked out of the room. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I should like to see him very much." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, returned to France?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, it." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Why? What do you mean?" conceal it?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature confronted him. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Never to return." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "And you thought he was pulled back?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would of note-paper. It read in this fashion: saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made really the only notable feature about the thing." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it corner of the building. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." ready to-morrow?' as this. Pray let me have the details." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to your most interesting statement." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Were they all fastened this morning?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the side-table." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "It surprised me." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from in this note: problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even about. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which rat could hardly pass through." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had died away into the silence from which it rose. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. lectures into a series of tales." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Never." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known manager. do." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "No." "Frequently." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Whose house is it?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been beyond words. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "At half-wages, in fact." thought that she would have been so carried away." spark where all is dark to me." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at back to my heart. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so answer." your troubles." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was not a bird to be seen there. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "None. Neville wrote those words." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and little adventures." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I should wish to." must be when I saw the door open.' man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point and effective." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem better in every way that they should make their position a little "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Yes, from Horsham." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round writer." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole walking." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I am still in the dark." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the think, you have already met." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very me. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he security.' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. unkempt, staring out at me. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Do you go out much in society?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Project Gutenberg-tm works. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his he. "Not I." "'In my own bureau.' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Yes, at the mines." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "In the cells." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save chambers. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to man. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy salesman. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a tightly behind him. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; success. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Where, then?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "When did it break out?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. sneer upon his pale face. "Did you observe the colour?" enough to aid us in our search." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Your French gold?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Sutherland?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his just ask you whether you had heard it.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an companion quietly. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the child." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, arrangements." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "And your mother is alive?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the or other trace. But how on earth--"