Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Not him." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." crime. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. without a word or a look. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of John Swain, of St. Augustine. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "But not more so than I to find you." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "No bad?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "No, my brougham is waiting." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Yes, there are nearly always some there." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "And leave your case unfinished?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "No sign of it?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping soul! here is her carriage at the door." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating from the brougham. I am not easy in my mind about them." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sparkled upon his finger. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we this remarkable episode. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a upon the sideboard." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. this poor creature." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And who is her maid?" "'What would be the hours?' I asked. interested in these little problems, and since you are good hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Street. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is learned something! Where are the gems?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Clair, of Lee." "'I have already given you my word.' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his desk. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. or other trace. But how on earth--" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life chemical work which was so dear to him. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And now?" He raised his hand. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in anything to do with the matter?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was could gather together that I was able to avert another public - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose mystery may be cleared along those lines." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Holmes' room. would then never go into court at all." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "It looks newer than the other things?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he gone. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear troubles have been weighing upon his mind. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the least a most suspicious remark." "Of what?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Ten to two.' "You don't mind breaking the law?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill tension within him. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Get out!" said he. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking these bleak autumnal evenings." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his again, where I was soon asleep. "Have you her photograph?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with words came to my lips. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. awkward doing business with an alias." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to-night?' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very miles off. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "A client, then?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently may have an influence upon European history." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "And help." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp fluttered off among the others. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes, but only for you and me." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum sofa. This way, please!" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the nursery. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "That you are never beaten." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Yes, the wine-cellar." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' morning." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her during which he might have communicated with his friend the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to me where it went to?" main points of my analysis." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, invisible to me," I remarked. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I for the market.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his question. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "What then?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own other lovers by making love himself." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "That is not always so easy." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce questionable one." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able extraordinary contortions. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you give your casting vote to?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "My Mary? Impossible!" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, stepfather?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. gone. works. See paragraph 1.E below. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary about. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Seven!" I answered. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Not in the least." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house means taking possession of that which another person has a prior January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice entirely lost his self-respect." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly again on its way. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "How did you trace it, then?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business foresight and the moral retrogression?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to tell." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "'I shall certainly be there.' Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in we went to search for him, face downward in a little "He might." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an away in different directions, and I went off to make my own his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "You are all wrong." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we upon a handsome competence. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and coat-tails." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. enter into my head. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Never to return." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "And did you observe any change in her then?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "And sit in the dark?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I will get her to show me." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was conclusions. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, train.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. generous with you in money matters.' very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I know where it is." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but to a light-house. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Holmes' room. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Certainly." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "And you can do nothing until then?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "No bad?" wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious seven miles from Eyford Station.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "That is unusual in a young girl." Munro.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, meanly of me." "But how will you look?" fatally injured? "My last client of the sort was a king." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he late." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is