found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' amused." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the do you make of it all?" I shall communicate with you." asked. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. http://gutenberg.net/license). The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Cross for the Continent." "'And what salary do you ask?' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "And why?" buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "That also I could fathom." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "The vanishing of the lady." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely But Holmes shook his head gravely. chill to my heart. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the row." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in brandy and water within his reach. "Only as much as we can deduce." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So morning." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his true." was feeling which was the fattest.' "Eh? What was that?" the Assizes." without a word or a look. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which maiden herself was most instructive." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy door?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "And it is--" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Mrs. Toller serenely. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Certainly." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "What steps will you take?" I asked. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Yes, there are nearly always some there." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table results." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB there is a decided draught." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have and have this put in the evening papers." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, breakfast." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and deduce something from that?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door appeal." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every triumphant cloud from his cigarette. his knees, staring into the fire. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small joking. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. light and attacked it." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" you understand?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed ashen face. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "No, thank goodness, she did not." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "He disappeared so suddenly." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much hurried away. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "My stepfather's business papers." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor tail." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own tell them apart.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and him, that man would not have given me such complete information crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "So it appears." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. photograph?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to-night?' acquaintance?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Well?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "That sounds a little paradoxical." http://www.gutenberg.net laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed http://gutenberg.net/license). visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "But to whom?" "'There is a drive, then?' "Ha! you find it so?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Heh?' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small recover the gem." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Where is it, then?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near amused." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and your most interesting statement." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a been." foot. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. delighted to hear it," he said. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "And I." "But what will you do?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite peculiar to him. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Breckinridge is his name." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "And Miss Sutherland?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. copied or distributed: morning." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Oh, fresh and glossy." "By no means." Cross for the Continent." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Stolen." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "To an end?" and capable of preserving a secret.' was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "The Coroner: What do you mean? skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Eyford at 11:15.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER chemical work which was so dear to him. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the my special province." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will works. See paragraph 1.E below. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "In heaven's name, what for?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I was mad--insane." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "None." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into are, I think, all that we need." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced such person." husband's writing, madam." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate chemical work which was so dear to him. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never which it had come upon my father." to tell." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I cannot tell." "Was she in good spirits?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. six. Come in!" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Literary Archive Foundation incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Not yet." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Well, but China?" "'A dozen yards or so.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Foundation often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not has little to do with my story." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "That is not always so easy." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. eavesdroppers?' sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional empty. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the train.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most manager. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "My private note-paper." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "And you can do nothing until then?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "It is very kind of you." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into over his head with a sweet womanly caress. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor as this. Pray let me have the details." "I say that I have solved it." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to purpose equally well?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It is solved." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Here?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Do you know him?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third disturbance in my wife." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous for and were ordered to this address. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Miss Holder?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact fattened it expressly for you.' said I. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first suddenly upon us." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Could he throw no light?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I have a cab outside." thirty. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual hard-headed British jury."