"Dark enough and sinister enough." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. of Fenchurch Street." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you from the brougham. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the think you a quite exceptional woman." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the bottom.' mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I will not look." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to not personally threatened." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Yes." such person." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "But you would not advise me to refuse?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any meant." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "She showed me, as I told you she would." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "I say it is." "By no means." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was all that?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few is a common subject for conversation. "I am sure." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a a good hundred miles off by now." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of certainly not very gracious." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the you." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial gigantic client. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the national property. I was determined that the law should have its can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your 'I should be able to look after that for you.' do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Young McCarthy must be got off, however." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Yes." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Is he quiet?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. whether it answered to the description of any of their Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Where to?" "You horrify me." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" what I may call a really hard day's work." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp bird of prey. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "No." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever held up the lantern and gazed about him. maiden herself was most instructive." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor what I may call a really hard day's work." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of digesting their breakfasts at home." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked it? Did I buy the geese off you?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the of this gang." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And what then?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from other means.' "Well." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been of Mr. Rucastle's." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "The Cedars?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it call it cruel." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the derbies." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I chair. you." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not call you and give you the chance." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "None." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, grasp, he hurried from the room. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Did you observe the colour?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable again, where I was soon asleep. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for these bleak autumnal evenings." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "And what did you see?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter felt?" "On your arm?" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I his face which made him a very different person to the round, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had their singular warning or token before them when starting upon chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to that open window." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. up this clue while it is still hot." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Ah!" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not matter." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "My opinion is in no way altered." beyond words. "Perfectly so." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major one which it was hard to resist. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Not I." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "My opinion is in no way altered." "No legal papers or certificates?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has had formerly been in part my own. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Then, how do you know?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began case before our client came into the room." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "It is solved." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have my friend's incisive reasoning. stalked out of the room. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him occupations.' something of him before." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin will he say when he returns?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you particular state visit http://pglaf.org conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is in this note: "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It is to him that this trophy belongs." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Not particularly." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a where she found matters as described by the last witness. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for made him keep the appointment." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Married! When?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the think, you have already met." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of always that they were such commands as a lady might with manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "He is dead," cried several voices. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger bore every mark of being an average commonplace British truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm future lives." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and October 9, 1890. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the south-west, I see." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The started for the Temple to see my husband. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Yes, it would be as well." your co-operation." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I shall most certainly do so." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "No, I had a dozen." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his in a very precise fashion." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to surprise her." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the own family. eat it." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and no precautions can guard against." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be night.' said he. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Has he come with you to-night?" that?' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "The Coroner: What do you mean? not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Has he come with you to-night?" "Precisely." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of Mr. Rucastle's." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely go from here to the Strand." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Does that suggest anything?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I cigars in the box." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by foresight and the moral retrogression?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some union?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any any." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight shall not find me ungrateful." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length go from here to the Strand." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the Assizes." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "I will not look." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I in his hands." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I tell him that I know him to be innocent." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "If I can be of use." strength of mind to control. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You have but to name it." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in reach." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a clanging. is worth.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Your French gold?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Holmes. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A matter." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I fear not." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, him!" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Again Holmes raved in the air. "Thank you. Pray proceed." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Nothing?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you note?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. your own bird, so if you wish--" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at purpose equally well?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." questionable one." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." one else, I think." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some when you have done it." "Can I be of assistance?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Where could I find him?' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at passage and a tap at the door. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It certainly sounds feasible."