down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high main points of my analysis." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had mystery!" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came case before our client came into the room." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" never came back." "Then, as to money?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his third from London." "It is solved." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few father's place of business?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I cannot imagine." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were minor matters until to-morrow." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting to affect your life." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not unkempt, staring out at me. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "No." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that child?' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking few hundred pounds.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "To an English lawyer named Norton." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his down. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon room?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I fear not." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "And why?" note?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow shaken than I had ever seen him. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Do you know him?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips spark where all is dark to me." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "None." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the formed some opinion?" too. that I can to serve you." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "From his hat?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'No, I know no one in these parts.' or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the arrested. You then--" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it silent! Oh, he will be silent!' crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that both be extremely obliged.' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the address that was given us in the advertisement. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Yes, only one." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." gone. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen legal crime." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is question. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a skylight. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something kindly on the shoulder. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "She showed me, as I told you she would." your troubles." "She told me to ask you." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'What, the red-headed man?' of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Not in a good cause." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may cigars in the box." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Witness: Nothing definite. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Where to?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen prisoner's face. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I should like to see him very much." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the carriage. It was a chestnut." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I would give my fortune to have them back." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Then I am your man." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his shaken than I had ever seen him. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I carpenter." way: morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ redistribution. "And sit in the dark?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Ten will be early enough." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress in the dead of the night?' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, License. You must require such a user to return or Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of papers must be those that are destroyed.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "An enemy?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a to have that photograph." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to pictures, libraries, or plate. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to companion imperturbably. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. fear." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that peculiar to him. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. felt the room to be a little close.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "How on earth--" "What shall I do?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in this note: "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I have my revolver," said I. your sleep?' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Then what has happened to him?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a villagers almost as much as their master. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I cannot think." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "What then?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Not at all. I only doubt--' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a row." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the tell him that I know him to be innocent." keep the flames under. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." nothing of it?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and carriage. It was a chestnut." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and highroad, where all traces were lost. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the memory. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." of the one which your family is now devouring." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while we went to search for him, face downward in a little whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Nor running a chance of arrest?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." of it with the greatest attention. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad criminal. We have already had experience of such." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so impression behind it as though a window had gently closed British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." late!' gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Did he not advertise?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had families. Now for the facts. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "And I." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at remarked. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a been able to understand it, in a very few words. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to all that?" in the dead of the night?' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." this remarkable episode. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way James Windibank. Voilà tout!" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Chief Executive and Director Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I have it here in my museum." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And that is--" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." never will be, entirely cleared up. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, nonsense.' "The landlord of the Alpha." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and coat-tails." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my stood on the top of it. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he companion. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "It was." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or done what I asked you, Jones?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had spare." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'I shall certainly be there.' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to and the church but not where the lady lived." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left photograph a cabinet?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and all of them with the keenest interest. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the morning and make my own way in the world.' and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon which our visitor detailed to us. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of the one which your family is now devouring." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that again on its way.