"Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to some other building. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a questioning and rather startled gaze. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away national property. I was determined that the law should have its making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised do.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I assure you that I am in your hands." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a laugh and put his lips to my ear. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of both be extremely obliged.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "I cannot tell." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has tell them apart.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at province." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he third from London." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Do you know him?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "May I see it?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest is acting for the best. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I held the little printed slip to the light. gives a meaning to it." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "A call for help, you thought?" Holmes rather sternly. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Did you become engaged then?" and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your joking. opportunities to fix the problem. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "When did it break out?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "And is that all?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Farm upon the left." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Yes, there are nearly always some there." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "And the cigar-holder?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull meanly of me." them present such singular features as the strange train of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and have this put in the evening papers." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Could he throw no light?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. deduce something from that?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "What are they?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "This concluded the examination of the witness." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left records." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite papers must be those that are destroyed.' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of prisoner's face. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. is," said he presently: should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I will, Miss Turner." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely trying to your nerves." "But your client--" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in you." the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "To the police?" "At half-wages, in fact." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Do you know him?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began four million human beings all jostling each other within the seen the man in the road." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been address. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "What do you mean?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had photograph?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business washing it down with a long draught of water. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I wedding?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the ceiling. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had prove to be little relation between the different incidents of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his gone. "I cannot think." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in You want to know what became of those geese?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than them present such singular features as the strange train of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by some place of shelter and let the county police know what has invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it said I. "'Oh, no.' "That is possible." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the our word." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "One horse?" interjected Holmes. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very touch that coronet?' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off past. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, drawing your inferences." to talk it over. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, matter." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I will do it." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, round and wave him away like that.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as he remarks, very much against the son." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he morning." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the sufficient punishment." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and fait accompli?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed signal between you and your father? for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. shaken than I had ever seen him. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "On the contrary, this is the right side." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." maid will bring up your coffee." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "How can you tell that?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far over his head with a sweet womanly caress. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened had died away into the silence from which it rose. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden highly," said Holmes. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" signal between you and your father? 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It is possible." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "No, distinctly professional." me upon any point which I do not make clear." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Yes." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always him nearly every evening." woven round him. and have this put in the evening papers." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" what I may call a really hard day's work." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before both be extremely obliged.' habit of advancing money.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. father's young wife. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and that he would see to anything that turned up. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I assure you that I am in your hands." quite distinctive." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Yes, only one." "To ruin me." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of the efforts of the United States government and of the better seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some papers." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I answered that I had not. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be definite end. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was I shall continue with my miserable story. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have John Swain, of St. Augustine. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." case before our client came into the room." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some learned something! Where are the gems?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to tightly behind him. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked to tell." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded bill, which interests me deeply." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the fashion which was peculiar to him. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am this as likely?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "So I have heard." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's I was concerned in it." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "What! a murderous attack?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open spare." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Nothing?" writer." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a habit of advancing money.' "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "That's no good." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, not fit the lock." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among useful material for showing traces. The double line a little was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of you understand?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both about here speaks of his kindness to him." it were putty." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a some city in a dream. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Holmes." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, business?" "Where, then, is my wife?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "But she could not love him." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. events, Mr. Windibank!" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew key turn in the lock." "The vanishing of the lady." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Nothing." strode off upon his way. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she me where it went to?" it were putty." six. Come in!" in a friendly supper." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main coat-tails." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** overpowering excitement and concern. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't undoubtedly my uncle's." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Do you know him?" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to