error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small upon an income of about 60 pounds." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "ARAT," I read. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own closely." "To the police?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the this remarkable episode. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, nothing of it?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Did you become engaged then?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the general public were present, then?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He disappeared so suddenly." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, never will be, entirely cleared up. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the was a loud and authoritative tap. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "One of his hands." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. humiliation." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Not I." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of for securing the situation." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Yes, it was twisted." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak and I shall be with you presently." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such is a common subject for conversation. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Where did he live, then?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently returned to France?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Witness: It was. "It's nothing of the kind." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he written. "And how have you succeeded?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with again, where I was soon asleep. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for the child." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson entirely lost his self-respect." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "What can it mean?" I gasped. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea third from London." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, I have it here in my museum." "No." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we felt?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads DISSOLVED. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Did your wife hear all this?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since breakfast?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "They are typewritten," I remarked. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I The King stared at him in amazement. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I shall be delighted." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'I am sure that I do not know.' "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." goes." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "She will not sell." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I standing smiling on the door-step. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to have that photograph." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an business matters.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "What shall I do?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "But not more so than I to find you." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and For additional contact information: Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat on in his house." himself. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, voice. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Never to return." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to affect your life." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "My stepfather's business papers." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with you in yours." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the seen the man in the road." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "A thing like a cleaver," said he. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I see many objections to any such theory." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Was the window open?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an For additional contact information: impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the tragedy. "You think that he is dead?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the waste of energy." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Imitated." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable very morning of my second wedding." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and is so. I know all about McCarthy." one else, I think." problems help me to do so." strength of mind to control. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It is no ordinary one." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "On Monday." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your crackling voice. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The touch that coronet?' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have see a sister of mine apply for." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Oh, the cause is excellent!" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his knowledge of the world." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the coronet at all injured?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with occurred." "At the wedding breakfast." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "It is very clear." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of a light. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of said he. as he folded up the epistle. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Yes." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the should be taken.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "And when will you call?" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "But you would not advise me to refuse?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, married her." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to trying to your nerves." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." discontent upon his features. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power gone. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., stood on the top of it. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that long narrative. ashen face. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned said he. companion. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most are windows in it, of course?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, have an American origin." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to have that photograph." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped asked. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to a light-house. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "But of what society?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the window, rose as we entered. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not least a fellow-countryman. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock comes from the middle window." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the coronet at all injured?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had girl said." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson down. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her is so. I know all about McCarthy." point in the dark hollow of his hand. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Yes, sir." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and looked back. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what his fortune, and I went back to pa. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "What is it?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE will not take me long to tell. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, had this final quarrel? "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and a shock of very red hair. "This concluded the examination of the witness." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was trifles." my secret was safe in his possession. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be undoubtedly my uncle's." in his hands." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late."