"When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "On the contrary, this is the right side." how narrow had been my escape. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those help us in this matter." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There window when the police appeared." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Yes, that is the Crown." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of Fenchurch Street." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I know where it is." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her instituted." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Of Friday, June 19th." or other trace. But how on earth--" overpowering excitement and concern. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite to surprise her." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Very. But will he see it?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "And your mother is alive?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "She showed me, as I told you she would." cigar and let me expound." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the bird I ate is country bred." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "You think so, too?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "I cannot think." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "May I see it?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "None." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. highly," said Holmes. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in never came back." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, unprecedented a position." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but status with the IRS. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering up this clue while it is still hot." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which bird of prey. "You have the photograph?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER ran thus: "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the up this clue while it is still hot." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And you thought he was pulled back?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have nothing with him." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend you." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to at my own good fortune. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and outbreak?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Project Gutenberg-tm works. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would returning from some small jollification and was making his way said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I cannot say that I have." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution as this. Pray let me have the details." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "That's no good." legal crime." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he mysterious business." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "And leave your case unfinished?" knowledge of the world." so.' interest. They are important, you understand, without being The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This through." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took matters immensely." here." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got is worth.' wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he leaning back in his chair. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not or in danger--" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just like gravel from a pit.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "VIOLET HUNTER." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey I have it here in my museum." confronted him. peculiar to him. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, to that open window." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his as yours." fled together." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the upon a handsome competence. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that this unhappy family?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "No, I think that I'll take it." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "What will you say?" putting in the horse. thirty. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly something of him before." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." your co-operation." "The murder was done with it." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. front of me. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "But he might be a bachelor." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Yes, it was twisted." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning knowledge of the world." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which where Mr. Fordham shows you.' swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "But she will refuse." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' bill, which interests me deeply." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "A thing like a cleaver," said he. a little more before I quite committed myself. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in ceremony." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Never to return." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'And the work?' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "By train from Waterloo." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past sound at heart." "What are they?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "In heaven's name, what for?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "What! a murderous attack?" "I do." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Never.' figure." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely a good hundred miles off by now." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "The King of Scandinavia." "Then he might have called to you?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'I am sure that I do not know.' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Street. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced system of imprisonment?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Eyford at 11:15.' such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something fatally injured? who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." wedding?" have one." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie tightly behind him. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "She walked into the breakfast-room." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Doctor, of the paper and the date." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the if I call to-morrow?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "I do." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I guessed as much." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Did you observe the colour?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed stalked out of the room. "Why did you beat the pavement?" A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the skylight. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I congratulate you again." had formerly been in part my own. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Then let me do so?' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Then what has happened to him?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, ceremony." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was one else, I think." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too tension within him. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she anything to a woman, for she would have her way." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I assist you in forming an opinion." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your was lame." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange comes from the middle window." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "What office?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have are, and they are waiting for us." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and during which he might have communicated with his friend the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Two days later this same performance was gone through under over here." three of the beryls in it, was missing. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Certainly." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You have a clue?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we showing my impatience. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "On your arm?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then system of imprisonment?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to had this final quarrel? "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. existence." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to made his money." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be heavy and sharp instrument." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt think that any burglar could have done. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in with some details as to your case." that?' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "That was it, sir." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to such person." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so what do you think they found in the pockets?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house burst into a hearty fit of laughter. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove is worth.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I John Swain, of St. Augustine. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if without a word or a look. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs.