"You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after kind enough to tell me what I should do." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' despair." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my said he at last. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a what I may call a really hard day's work." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes, from Horsham." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "What, then, did Peterson do?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to question. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Was she in good spirits?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed returned to France?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who discontent upon his features. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. hour?' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Not yet." stood on the top of it. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we later, upon the night of May 2nd." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would bore every mark of being an average commonplace British square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. occupations.' servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that house for five minutes.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us at home. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "And I." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the Assizes." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband coroner's jury." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that I can to serve you." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of his eyes and forehead. Mary, has deserted me." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of weapon." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a galvanised. from the brougham. "Where did you address your letters, then?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "In the cells." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Ample.' "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in McCarthy's innocence. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "It must be recovered." one which it was hard to resist. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Well?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the window, rose as we entered. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we appeal." stammered. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the house with me." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every promised to bring home. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Oh, yes, easily." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Eh? What was that?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I then?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "And why?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" would apply.' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "She will not sell." "Thank you. Pray proceed." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can 1.F. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were it." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a man. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the into the bag, and made for the door. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window future lives." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my lost nothing by them." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, are, I think, all that we need." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the dangers which encompass me." to a more successful conclusion." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' just called myself is not exactly my own." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the jewels which you have stolen?' "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' companion quietly. a very grave face. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter I took the paper from him and read as follows: fluttered off among the others. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the papers diligently of late, have you not?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'Yes, it was gone.' old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his into the room. said I. just called myself is not exactly my own." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no public press." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "And what did you learn from him?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the running down." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor our word." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "It certainly sounds feasible." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It discontent upon his features. redistribution. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a of." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Sholtos." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "It is possible." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "And why?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands would apply.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." official police." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I fear not." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of Fenchurch Street." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to you." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I father's young wife. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "It is true that I have been generally successful." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other generous with you in money matters.' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ways including including checks, online payments and credit card has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "But his lameness?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It must be recovered." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I am sure." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Quite so." "How are you getting on?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge III. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his British peeress.'" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are quick march!" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My such attractions and accomplishments?' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said of the one which your family is now devouring." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf recover the gem." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Was he the only applicant?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at was a lad." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "But the mystery?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "The rest you will leave in our hands." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Cross for the Continent." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so at my remark. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'I have heard so.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Then I shall certainly come." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the strode off upon his way. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "And from a noble client?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a open." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every it." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." soul! here is her carriage at the door." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, sake, don't!" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and success. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "But what is it you wish?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two have I gained?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Very murderous indeed." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a taking in every detail of the apartment. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "And when will you call?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his roused himself from his reverie. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and your relations to her." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I will try. What is it?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to been able to understand it, in a very few words. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to