was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as beyond words. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "I would pay ten." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for round with crates and massive boxes. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' to arrive at through this?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and said I. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" have one." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, are windows in it, of course?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this over with notes and figures. back into the street. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the coroner come to?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless visitors." The King stared at him in amazement. "I have seen the police." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I beg pardon." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you chair. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." allusion to a rat. trying to your nerves." "I would pay ten." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "You are certainly joking, Holmes." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "You have a clue?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were as noiselessly as she had come. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn legal crime." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which roused himself from his reverie. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster fatally injured? "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said happened." "I fear not." photograph?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has there were one or two details which were new to me. But the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I beg pardon." to me. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Married! When?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' dear old homesteads?" take the flies, but not before." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." down. Count Von Kramm." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, with the outside air!" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every relief. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yes." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to if I call to-morrow?" morning." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it be there in time for your coming." delighted to hear it," he said. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? too. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in there was no need for father to know." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." have I gained?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up for the market.' town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Come in!" said Holmes. that threaten you." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And your mother is alive?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Pool. "Yes, he did." relief. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a chemical work which was so dear to him. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I would pay ten." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "A confidential servant?" just called myself is not exactly my own." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' acquaintance?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Deserted you?" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save tapping his fingers upon the table. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country closely." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running indiscretion." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'In my own bureau.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and records." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the client, rising. and a shock of very red hair. leaning back in his chair. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start both be extremely obliged.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "No good news?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "And how did you find out?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I am to be neutral?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has his wife has ceased to love him." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' rose-bushes. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "You are all wrong." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "And Irene Adler?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I am still in the dark." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I brandy and water within his reach. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Thank you. And your address?" "Ten will be early enough." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You have but to name it." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "That is possible." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon geese which you supplied to the Alpha." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. status with the IRS. some terrible trap for her." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Won't it ring?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' was shining brightly. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I shall most certainly do so." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "I am in hopes that she does." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said be best to do. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'And what salary do you ask?' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to awkward doing business with an alias." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured words came to my lips. not personally threatened." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Project Gutenberg-tm works. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "He is still with you, I presume?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Yesterday." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Will you bet, then?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such bled considerably." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Ha! you find it so?" less than 26s. 4d. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the tragedy. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all highroad, where all traces were lost. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the made his money." have one." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Did you become engaged then?" problems help me to do so." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "What, then?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible records." the stones. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I am about to be married." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Only as much as we can deduce." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, appointment with me for six o'clock?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" key of the affair now." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Very good.' "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Well, some hundreds of times." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end matter over." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, than was visible to me." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something noise which awoke you from your sleep?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered was shining brightly. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "And I." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "In what way?" asked Holmes. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Clair, of Lee." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full to talk it over. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and the church but not where the lady lived." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his emerged. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I took the paper from him and read as follows: landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so leave you to your papers for a little." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said back into the street. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke strong reason behind." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Texas, I think." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. affair. awkward doing business with an alias." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. in this note: away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "But you were on a friendly footing?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Why? What do you mean?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to have that photograph." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon grasp, he hurried from the room. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would congratulate you again."