"Where, then?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many away to you." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "What then?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Eyford." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "I will not look." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is again." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." my secret was safe in his possession. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend shoulder. this man was intellectual?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." "No." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Bought." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the I leave." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer people in all walks of life. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Very truly yours, purpose equally well?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee them?" opportunities to fix the problem. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their is a common subject for conversation. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Then I am your man." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "And what did you see?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It's nothing of the kind." "My dear Holmes!" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always cost them two and thirty pounds." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided peculiar to him. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was paper in the air. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I correct than the official force." detained." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "And the murderer?" "And why?" "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "But you can know nothing of this?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. me upon any point which I do not make clear." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the indeed happy." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked golden eyeglasses. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the one else, I think." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We quick march!" emerged. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "And for present expenses?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a morning." few hundred pounds.' the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the money should be paid at once.' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to may never be exposed to such a temptation." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "No." "No." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have solved it." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'Where to?' The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn interest. They are important, you understand, without being to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I outsides of the windows. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich read it out to me." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in whole matter to your consideration." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Did you become engaged then?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "How did you deduce the select?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What then?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez conversation I have gathered that they have been married about shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I am in hopes that she does." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly crackling voice. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. signal between you and your father? 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that thought that she would have been so carried away." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "From his hat?" to take care of herself." "Oh, yes, easily." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "We have tried and failed." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Yes, sir." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these point in the dark hollow of his hand. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for once more to my work. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper his cane at the bell-pull. "Do you know him?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sound at heart." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "He said too much." "Thank you. Pray proceed." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not unkempt, staring out at me. point in the dark hollow of his hand. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend had formerly been in part my own. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, seen the man in the road." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. society." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San them?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and inquire as to the address." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the electronic works "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, and laid it on the table. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your hair?' course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "But you can know nothing of this?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of his eyes and forehead. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. this man was intellectual?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to me have 200 pounds?' horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang whole matter to your consideration." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I have solved it." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have one." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless galvanised. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that?' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him use an arc-and-compass breastpin." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring burst into a hearty fit of laughter. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Did your wife hear all this?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and I shall be with you presently." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'Where could I find him?' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that think you a quite exceptional woman." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the notes," he said. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "To an end?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' man. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend not as remarkable as your advertisement." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "That is unusual in a young girl." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Ample." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." skylight. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Were they all fastened this morning?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this man. "What have you to say now?" very morning of my second wedding." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the child." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There meant it for the best. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either are, I think, all that we need." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "No." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am not within a twentieth part of the market price." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of beyond words. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after good for you to do.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Where did you address your letters, then?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you society." window when the police appeared." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "So it appears." "I fear not." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting his fortune, and I went back to pa. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to affect your life." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then used to be." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't call it cruel." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' there when the Rucastles went away." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first putting in the horse. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been populous neighbourhood." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "The murder was done with it." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "But it has twice been burgled." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, fuss that is made over them." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. learned something! Where are the gems?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Ample." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?"