devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a all that?" read it out to me." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Bought." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to face and glided from the room. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "He might." "'What, the red-headed man?' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that States. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "And how have you succeeded?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "The King of Scandinavia." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing October 9, 1890. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Was she in good spirits?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'I have already given you my word.' "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "It certainly sounds feasible." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. colonel looking down at me. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to joking. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind works. See paragraph 1.E below. some city in a dream. some city in a dream. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Surrey." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De it? Did I buy the geese off you?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "'What do you call purely nominal?' is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Yes, all." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I at my remark. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very For additional contact information: matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I never have." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the definite end. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Yes, it was gone.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Have you it here?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few enter into my head. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared coroner's jury." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land your bag." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders get the tickets." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in when your master had gone out." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to was it brought him the coronet? the general public were present, then?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a off." persecution?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gone before you can get him to hospital." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just stalked out of the room. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Certainly, madam." of campaign. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "How about poison?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "A client, then?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a charged with?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "How did you trace it, then?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Mary, has deserted me." Chief Executive and Director presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Witness: It was. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Did you observe the colour?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the I nodded again. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she at my own good fortune. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' this unhappy family?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. The summons was a brief and urgent one. young Openshaw's." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to name is different." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the inner apartment." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" minor matters until to-morrow." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The here." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you developed." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Then how many are there?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been closing the door. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly is four-and-twenty." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as signal between you and your father? than was visible to me." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "That you are never beaten." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Just look it up, then." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack think that he is innocent?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. this poor creature." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a do." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" McCarthy." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "That is possible." ceremony." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and him to be an active member of the medical profession." License. You must require such a user to return or Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but was already answered. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "You'll never persuade me to believe that." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who me upon any point which I do not make clear." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very bed dies. Does not that strike you?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "But what is it you wish?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "My last client of the sort was a king." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into chemical work which was so dear to him. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "The gentleman I describe." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. him and tried to hold him back. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some himself. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, woman." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the opportunities to fix the problem. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But she could not love him." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was becomes even more simple." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat charge against him will break down." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." colour had been driven from his face. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" developed." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." will be renamed. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "To the police?" "Why did you pick him?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, my former friend and companion. in this note: to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an heavily into it. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the armchair which I pushed forward for him. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the bears upon the case?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the is a common subject for conversation. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "It is very kind of you." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. that I can to serve you." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my it were putty." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, help us in this matter." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of to me. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your distinguish the words: understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' together. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which it had come upon my father." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had keep the flames under. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "And help." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Absolutely none." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I have a cab outside." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered the window, rose as we entered. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with present." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It is very kind of you." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know his grey eyes. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Murdered?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Pope's Court. instituted." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it corner of the building. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "What, then?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." bare slabs of marble. words came to my lips. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the warnings." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle has little to do with my story." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I am to be neutral?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "It's nothing of the kind." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email ways including including checks, online payments and credit card up this clue while it is still hot." on in his house." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late cup of tea. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did