and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress rat could hardly pass through." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black crackling voice. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get neither fascinating nor artistic." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through thin legs towards the fire. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to tackle the facts." rat could hardly pass through." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "One?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. over with notes and figures. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible recover the gem." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Deserted you?" persecution?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Mary, has deserted me." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "You are hungry," I remarked. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, fishes. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be started for the Temple to see my husband. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right woman." "Did you become engaged then?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" page at http://pglaf.org sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Certainly not. But why?' telegram would bring me down to your help." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I should wish to." "And you thought he was pulled back?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Gutenberg-tm License. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Has he come with you to-night?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and this man was intellectual?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the some water from a caraffe. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all there!' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or when your master had gone out." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a pierced for earrings?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham minor matters until to-morrow." Leadenhall Street--and--" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your definite end. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I know where it is." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. I shall continue with my miserable story. disappearance of the bride.'" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the coronet in his hands?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing which should have the effect of calling the attention of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. companion. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the bed, and you in that chair." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty dates and names. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "None." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases definite end. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the general public were present, then?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked chamber." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "In what way?" asked Holmes. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "But we can't all be." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "We have tried and failed." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Will you bet, then?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "What?" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong seem to you to be relevant or not." and have this put in the evening papers." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Mary, has deserted me." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a may never be exposed to such a temptation." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that there was nothing in it, after all." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill rat could hardly pass through." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week on in his house." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything arms and began to sob in a high treble key. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had tapping his fingers upon the table. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what trying to your nerves." "Where did you address your letters, then?" locked. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event hardly wander." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." dear old homesteads?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad writers could invent nothing more crude." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just rooms." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. better grown goose." particular state visit http://pglaf.org his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, lamp in his hand. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of Fenchurch Street." 1.E.9. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'I shall certainly be there.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have directly by questioning you." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as here and I will read it to you: "No?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "By all means." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done habit of advancing money.' "What office?" weary and pale-looking. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, province." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to make me his representative both with the servants and with the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Not in the least." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." money should be paid at once.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his bears upon the case?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn said he. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I extraordinary contortions. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "It's nothing of the kind." "And did you observe any change in her then?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had be. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When burst into a hearty fit of laughter. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled both be extremely obliged.' "'Yes, sir.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "But you were on a friendly footing?" approach us with offers to donate. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I furiously. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with call it cruel." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any weary and pale-looking. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. which was all perfectly true. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was good for you to do.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his question," said Holmes, smiling. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "And what did you see?" "Where, then?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of foresight and the moral retrogression?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it highly," said Holmes. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "What have you to say now?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the weighed down with some great anxiety. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "And how in the world did you find them?" as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium individual and becomes the badge of a society." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during where we are going." purpose equally well?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, over here." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from go from here to the Strand." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "May I see it?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "It is half-past ten now." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "None." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed just called myself is not exactly my own." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No sign of it?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to bachelor.' card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." him. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my hand, madam?" unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly awkward doing business with an alias." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "This photograph!" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'Yes.' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" about. "He slept on the premises." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I am following you closely," I answered. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the once more. Lee, in the county of Kent." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. just ask you whether you had heard it.' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Which dealer's?' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the Red-headed League." tear off another piece?' firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Then I am your man." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my drawing your inferences." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it this unhappy family?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when obstinate." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of away into the river." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was