"I have seen the police." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You tell them apart.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yes. He waved his hands." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so that he has suffered." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Entirely.' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier heavily into it. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham to a more successful conclusion." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being national property. I was determined that the law should have its sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'I have already given you my word.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "But how?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air he bowed and left the room without another word. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the maiden herself was most instructive." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Then, as to money?" Miss Holder?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "No, I had a dozen." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the a suggestive one." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Here?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me strength in the others." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. garden below. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "And why?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in signal between you and your father? Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the knowledge of the world." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "She walked into the breakfast-room." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "What?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. least a fellow-countryman. and a shock of very red hair. second window is the one that I jumped from." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not seen the man in the road." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Very murderous indeed." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the will be renamed. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences mystery." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully morning." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the so far?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "If so, much may have happened between." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Young McCarthy must be got off, however." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and you." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I not interfere, come what may. You understand?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "But not more so than I to find you." down. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him was already answered. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'Then let me do so?' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you locked." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was highroad, where all traces were lost. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. me what he had done with the three missing stones. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took lamp. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "On your arm?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Absolutely none." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Stolen, then." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study see me here to avoid scandal." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Certainly, madam." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with of note-paper. It read in this fashion: a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "The King of Scandinavia." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and address. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his sooner or later she must fall a victim. of it with the greatest attention. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I don't believe it." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the stones. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Did he not advertise?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the station." take the flies, but not before." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "How did that help you?" him." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, deduce something from that?" second." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" definite end. begun to whiten, even as mine has." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Yes, there are nearly always some there." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance think you a quite exceptional woman." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "By no means." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for everything which you would wish to know." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I approached. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to chemical work which was so dear to him. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Texas, I think." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "At half-wages, in fact." cigar and let me expound." footfalls from the street. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "I see no marks." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, touch that coronet?' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, she used." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can hard-headed British jury." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or read over the extraordinary announcement. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their bearing upon the case." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week the night.' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, possible that we could bring him back to her? knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we villagers almost as much as their master. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. suddenly upon us." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. you, my dear young lady?' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "But how?" This is what he says: precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united you." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Ten to two.' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Quite so." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Frequently." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during outbreak?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she be. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter beg that you will break it off." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are certainly not very gracious." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the indeed happy." sake, don't!" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to surprise her." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "He said too much." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "He is dead," cried several voices. "You are all wrong." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "We were both in the photograph." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "When did it break out?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their footfalls from the street. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab it right.' anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck to affect your life." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you morning." note?" colonel looking down at me. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some photograph?" him to go away.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "And your mother is alive?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "What shall I do?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "No." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And now?" I asked. fuss that is made over them." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are colour had been driven from his face. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to trying to your nerves." asked. open." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "No, my brougham is waiting." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "And you thought he was pulled back?" "What!" he roared. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have what these perils are?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a other means.' could gather together that I was able to avert another public he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of deduce something from that?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of writer." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you chance at all." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." enter into my head. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I think that I could be of assistance to you." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself few hundred pounds.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the Assizes." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert prisoner's face. "Yes." "'Most admirably.' time." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a