very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have beg that you will break it off." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so imbecility!" he cried. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew frequently gained my first real insight into the character of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for important." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "But your client--" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's good for you to do.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "'Quite sure, dad.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Holmes rather sternly. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Arthur Conan Doyle "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "I think that I had better go, Holmes." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge used to be." "But to whom?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Entirely." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': remarked. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "What will you do, then?" to have that photograph." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the hour." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will I held the little printed slip to the light. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "But she could not love him." "Not particularly." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "What?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Sutherland. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I cannot say that I have." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. but preventing her from injuring another. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "'And what salary do you ask?' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it fait accompli?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds exactly what you advise." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Pope's Court. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of felt the room to be a little close.' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and wait." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been your only hope of safety." His name is Francis Prosper." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is conversation I have gathered that they have been married about could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. front of me. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be you understand?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it so.' Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was rat could hardly pass through." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Yes, he did." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing four million human beings all jostling each other within the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was union?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the nursery. it means?" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's redistribution. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and been with you?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked What do you deduce from it?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me correct than the official force." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You have compromised yourself seriously." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, detective. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, man. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When tear off another piece?' was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first married her." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" business in the City. She little knew what. the address that was given us in the advertisement. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for papers must be those that are destroyed.' very morning of my second wedding." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and the church but not where the lady lived." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "On the contrary, this is the right side." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a call for it in person on Monday morning.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What absolutely follow my advice in every respect." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and writing, and yet I know it well." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply walking." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and way: must compliment you." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he business?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Certainly." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a certainly do as you advise." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that there was nothing in it, after all." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in nonsense.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed back to my heart. noting anything else of interest. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at tension within him. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on when your master had gone out." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Stoke Moran?" said he. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three recover the gem." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "Where, indeed?" events than those which have happened in my own family." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the very morning of the wedding." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What I expected to see." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and foresight and the moral retrogression?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to talk it over. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was certainly do as you advise." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and inquire as to the address." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "There are none." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Not in a good cause." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Look there!" said he. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend daring than any effort of the imagination." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at pound a week." the coroner come to?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all results." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned should be taken.' "Then what has happened to him?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Perhaps we may make them less so." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the who was a member of your goose club." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael in this way: "It missed him, then?" Sholtos." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid in this note: "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Yes." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet words came to my lips. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful confronted him. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him me have 200 pounds?' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call during the last few years, and there are many noble families to It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner which I could not give. He asked for Alice. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." out of this horrible affair." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the Red-headed League." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'Where could I find him?' had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "But she will refuse." awaited us upon the table. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I came to find a friend." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business business matters.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very plantation.' "The murder was done with it." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "My dear Holmes!" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary or other trace. But how on earth--" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And Miss Sutherland?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham asked with his eyes open. "No good news?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you how narrow had been my escape. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another coroner's jury." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. trifles." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. wedding?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you occupations.' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Stolen." second." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the general public were present, then?" amused." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped