"In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I answered that I had not. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. little trying to do so much typewriting?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, official police." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My tell me that you intended to go into harness." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "No?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "The rest you will leave in our hands." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Where, indeed?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Then I shall certainly come." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so over here." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." there!' "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been generous with you in money matters.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could depend upon my doing so.' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came constraint." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three do." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we least a fellow-countryman. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove imbecility!" he cried. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm imbecility!" he cried. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his do.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Foundation were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home that "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "No." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know security.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently death." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, as he remarks, very much against the son." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was keenly on my guard against him. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets it right.' even of instruction." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when relief. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of it right.' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to where he stood hid behind the curtain. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "His face fell immediately. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace passage and a tap at the door. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I should wish to." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles think that he is innocent?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their business matters.' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up and prosperity to your house. Good-night." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. to change my dress. "But we can't all be." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots depend upon your compliance." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Entirely.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, fuss that is made over them." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm business came to an end." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Heh?' appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "What then?" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to here and I will read it to you: there!' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy key of the affair now." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Here?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said fuss that is made over them." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in she has been waylaid. There has been no result." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter address. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "How on earth--" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Yes, only one." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wedding?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was kind enough to tell me what I should do." upon the white wrist. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in figure." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Yes, that is the Crown." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "My dear Holmes!" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but think that any burglar could have done. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I see many objections to any such theory." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid jewels which you have stolen?' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Very murderous indeed." the roots. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Pope's Court, Fleet Street." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I works. "How can you tell that?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." see a sister of mine apply for." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late true." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I am about to be married." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Dr. Gregory B. Newby "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" locked." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Pool. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Did you become engaged then?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the devil!" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part house for five minutes.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his floor. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "To an end?" "And you don't know his address?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the narrative." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his stepfather?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir interests were the same as his." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "How often?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Very truly yours, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "That also I could fathom." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'I shall certainly be there.' "Not I." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "No bad?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," not fit the lock." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Not him." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and the church but not where the lady lived." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my residence of the great financier. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in of the way of danger. people don't know." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with orange pips. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the chill to my heart. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "And you thought he was pulled back?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." joking. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he of them has the shutters up.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or was keenly on my guard against him. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. someone who had been in Australia." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." been." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than present." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Has he come with you to-night?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that