he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came But Holmes shook his head gravely. long narrative. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the only touch the interest." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Nearly eleven." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your are, I think, all that we need." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Yes, from Horsham." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "And who is her maid?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Pray do so." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. following enigmatical notices: overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in remarked. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought allusion to a rat. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little spare." writers could invent nothing more crude." kind enough to tell me what I should do." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "To an English lawyer named Norton." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in morning." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a think that he is innocent?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "No legal papers or certificates?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Sholtos." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I was mad--insane." "Then I shall certainly come." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may back alive. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to miss it." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much appointment with me for six o'clock?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid key turn in the lock." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes." waste of energy." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Eyford." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the Assizes." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "What, then, did Peterson do?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the dangers which encompass me." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. case-book, which he consulted. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey you in your example." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Entirely." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, question. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Why, what do you mean?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "What then?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its some terrible trap for her." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything compunction about shooting them down." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "What I expected to see." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the little opening for the ventilator is." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "But you have hopes?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get of the one which your family is now devouring." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to have that photograph." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Ha! you find it so?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Was he the only applicant?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. towards the blaze. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and disappearance of the bride.'" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of the efforts of the United States government and of the better however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "What!" he roared. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I for the market.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the devil!" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and capable of preserving a secret.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "She told me to ask you." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "In which, sir?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "On Monday." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I open." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, my special province." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Yes, from Horsham." delirious. with you alone." washing it down with a long draught of water. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I don't say that. Perhaps." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his sound at heart." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the people don't know." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had you came in." "She told me to ask you." points to suicide?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "And Miss Sutherland?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps giving me time to thank him. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up mystery may be cleared along those lines." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "My own seal." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Then the page we have seen--" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Ample." "That is possible." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of them has the shutters up.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and there." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some gives a meaning to it." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a seen the man in the road." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited that you can jump it.' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" bird of prey. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than to-night's adventure." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to go from here to the Strand." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never points in connection with it which never have been, and probably The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his forehead." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed in his power. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Not particularly." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his all-comprehensive glances. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "But she will refuse." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that enter into my head. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but there was no need for father to know." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that union?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down as the one I chose?' pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "9th. McCauley cleared. the inquest, and which are worth considering." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. forbidden door. them present such singular features as the strange train of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "VIOLET HUNTER." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, unprofitable." returning from some small jollification and was making his way but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out get the tickets." which our visitor detailed to us. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his once more for Briony Lodge. "Nothing." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three know that the truth is known." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced words came to my lips. if I call to-morrow?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Pray continue your narrative." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who me." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Munro.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the one else, I think." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given derbies." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "You were travelling in the States?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting her also." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Witness: It was. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the Red-headed League." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock present strange and interesting features that it is no easy particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Dr. Becher's." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed so.' brought there to personate someone, and the real person is in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black been able to understand it, in a very few words. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Where, then, is my wife?" the bed, and you in that chair." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the address that was given us in the advertisement. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body purpose of examination. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her drawing your inferences." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good go--none." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Stoke Moran." the bottom.' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil case before our client came into the room." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another any more." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I she used." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a chance at all." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the very morning of the wedding." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and all of them with the keenest interest. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Murdered?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face breakfast." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "My dear Holmes!" obstinate." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the your bag." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out your bag." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was not a bird to be seen there. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Then he might have called to you?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Nothing." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman