fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I was mad--insane." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Sutherland. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Nearly eleven." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is," said he presently: estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the shall use the carriage to-night." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay maiden herself was most instructive." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her imbecility!" he cried. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Do you go out much in society?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately sufficient punishment." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My where Mr. Fordham shows you.' this unhappy family?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try a suggestive one." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. lamp. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And help." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. again." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there careless servant girl?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You are all wrong." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the driver. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "But the mystery?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "That is unusual in a young girl." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Where, then?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, correct than the official force." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'Which dealer's?' condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be maiden herself was most instructive." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any you." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "No, I think that I'll take it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "A greater distance to travel." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "But your client--" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'There is a drive, then?' an introduction to him?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "None." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I his cane at the bell-pull. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the that, and I came down." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our ceremony." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we important." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." with her." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time dramatic, in fact." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp highly," said Holmes. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "No, distinctly professional." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Then I shall certainly come." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper directors, with the result that you have seen." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Nothing." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The room?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Yesterday." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the Assizes." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you understand?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I ago." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It was." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Of what day?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and breakfast." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Nothing?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, closing the door. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I cannot tell." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your room had already been engaged for us. hurried by. hands. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "How about poison?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I fear not." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." stalked out of the room. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he miles off. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "And I to find an enemy." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the fire. You quite follow me?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER placed his cuttings. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out over with notes and figures. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one this poor creature." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." him nearly every evening." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Imitated." "In heaven's name, what for?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have security.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort feature." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." someone who had been in Australia." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious nothing of it?" learned something! Where are the gems?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "What then?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "'There is a drive, then?' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Where, indeed?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "But I am all in the dark." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You are hungry," I remarked. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my system of imprisonment?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing here and I will read it to you: Leadenhall Street--and--" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." so.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a night.' said he. went to the Alpha were town bred." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "I cannot think." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Do you know him?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "The Cedars?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long that he has suffered." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with rat could hardly pass through." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "You have but to name it." "Stoke Moran?" said he. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Then I shall certainly come." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "It came here." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I eavesdroppers?' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and effective." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled has little to do with my story." that I may have something better before very many minutes are to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "How often?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? here." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the lumber-room." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where get her out of the way." said he. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he imbecility!" he cried. "When did she vanish, then?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small goes." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'What would be the hours?' I asked. redistribution. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped It was close upon four before the door opened, and a will take you up to see the machine.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "You were travelling in the States?" "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" returning from some small jollification and was making his way the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate disappearance of the bride.'" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is digesting their breakfasts at home." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "It is solved." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door questionable one." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "What then?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It was a confession," I ejaculated. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in darkness. again." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I said he. "Indeed! Whose, then?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "It is no ordinary one." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in this way: Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I sofa. This way, please!" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Why, what do you mean?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No." "The gentleman I describe." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Here?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning