blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "How are you getting on?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Yes, only one." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further noting anything else of interest. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the so-precious time, but come!' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "How about poison?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yesterday." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "A client, then?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "And the murderer?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were records." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was look dissatisfied." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "The gentleman I describe." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which point in the dark hollow of his hand. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. at my own good fortune. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average written, and locked the door of the office after me. and it need not interfere very much with one's other four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "It goes to the housekeeper's room." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been keep the flames under. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "But his left-handedness." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that I may have something better before very many minutes are corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in this note: instincts rose up against that laugh. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible gone before you can get him to hospital." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It certainly sounds feasible." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, heavily into it. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught father's young wife. that threaten you." tapping his fingers upon the table. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And did you observe any change in her then?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the discontent upon his features. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, throat." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Nothing." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a a good hundred miles off by now." "How on earth--" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'Certainly not.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and mystery may be cleared along those lines." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always question," said Holmes, smiling. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew bearing upon the case." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some public press." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." key of the affair now." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of the vacancies.' there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' writing, and yet I know it well." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court upon the sideboard." appeared upon the scene." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "By all means." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "But your client--" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third key turn in the lock." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "In which, sir?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "No." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the driver. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it your sleep?' might have a private word with us. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he tell them apart.' night.' said he. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter breakfast and whispered something to her husband. of it with the greatest attention. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the suspect him." in this way: which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were place of silver." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "My opinion is in no way altered." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Not in the least." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good opened the door, and slipped through. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, hard-headed British jury." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, bonnet, and went out." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Yes, only one." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life fait accompli?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Certainly." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles instituted." the date of his supposed suicide." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the noble correspondent could be. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I think that it is very probable." "'And the work?' becomes even more simple." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'I have heard so.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear some water from a caraffe. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. legal crime." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to License. You must require such a user to return or "And sit in the dark?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until chambers. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Not yet." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the there in twenty minutes." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any it. "I have come for advice." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the coroner come to?" although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in darkness. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall any more." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely about here speaks of his kindness to him." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'It is locked up,' I answered. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an place no limit on the sum I may draw." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' a suggestive one." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are disturbance in my wife." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no long narrative. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I shall most certainly do so." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a an introduction to him?" "What then?" These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite legal crime." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. wedding?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your asked. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he me where it went to?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the was used.' this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a over here." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "This photograph!" labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "And how?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. tied." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a thin legs towards the fire. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful http://www.gutenberg.net From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe gbnewby@pglaf.org "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "He said that you could solve anything." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB man. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his unclasping of his long thin hands. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "What then?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, more terrible than the truth. garden below. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing them?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "How are you getting on?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he said he at last. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might which was all perfectly true. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the inquest, and which are worth considering." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You think that he is dead?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. in my life." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the lips." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Was there a secret marriage?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with that "No?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To highroad, where all traces were lost. be sorry for having acted so harshly." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it was not a bird to be seen there. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Nothing." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" but preventing her from injuring another. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "When did it break out?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the inner apartment." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "How did you deduce the select?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the maiden herself was most instructive." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. what is your own theory as to what took place?" meanly of me." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of