was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Witness: It was. of his shoulders. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "And your mother is alive?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I shall continue with my miserable story. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez this Miss Turner." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "By no means." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I have solved it." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Dr. Gregory B. Newby beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat outside. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter grasp, he hurried from the room. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. introspective fashion. "No. What a strange idea!" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, seven miles from Eyford Station.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found electronic works music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and was lame." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." had died away into the silence from which it rose. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest strength." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Cross for the Continent." father's young wife. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has skylight. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. companion. secret." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I have hopes." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at examine." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Yes." and wait." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up during which he might have communicated with his friend the I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "How are you getting on?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our second window is the one that I jumped from." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project redistribution. "'Yes, sir.' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Tell me all about it,' said I. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are digesting their breakfasts at home." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that you can jump it.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to you in yours." "'You cannot say what it was?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of what I may call a really hard day's work." the bottom.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and it need not interfere very much with one's other the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my better in every way that they should make their position a little matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was detective. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "And for present expenses?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had I leave." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Pray do so." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the official police." "'Yes, sir.' tail." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their that he has suffered." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He definite end. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and put his glass in his pocket. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Have you her photograph?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She purpose equally well?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a of them has the shutters up.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads present strange and interesting features that it is no easy this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment distance from the station, and there we found the young lady fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and upon an income of about 60 pounds." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a his wife has ceased to love him." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest dead, shall be safe with us." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "It missed him, then?" clang of the bell. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting this truth that in these little records of our cases which you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I am armed." to his chemical studies. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and better grown goose." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "How about poison?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very drawing your inferences." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Street. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are side. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "By no means." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' III. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close window when the police appeared." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I think that it is very probable." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Pray let us have it, for all that." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "How about poison?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her that I am arrested." "'Never.' mysterious end." writer." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Then you may entirely rely on me." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with congenial hunt. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look business." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "And leave your case unfinished?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Precisely." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have your Highness to the police-station?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society few hundred pounds.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are have had none more fantastic than this." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital call the police, let the police find what they can.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "But his left-handedness." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "We have tried and failed." wanted for ourselves." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "He is dead," cried several voices. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "No?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Why did you pick him?" was lame." posted to-day." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "The murder was done with it." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'Where to?' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry that before taking the final step I should like to submit the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No." have had none more fantastic than this." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I should like to see him very much." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Arthur Conan Doyle the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "And I say east," said my patient. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "That is possible." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I am to be neutral?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "You have carte blanche." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well matter." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." goes." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now meant it for the best. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his look dissatisfied." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael just ask you whether you had heard it.' seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There passage and a tap at the door. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very stammered. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I see me here to avoid scandal." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "They are typewritten," I remarked. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be perplexity from it to my illustrious client. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded papers on the sundial.'" awaited us upon the table. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should unkempt, staring out at me. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "So I have heard." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir ourselves in the office." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to my former friend and companion. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one possible that we could bring him back to her? a little more before I quite committed myself. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you whole matter to your consideration." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he it were putty." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I will, Miss Turner." better grown goose." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "How did that help you?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I think that it is very probable." "I fear not." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "What! a murderous attack?" "There is the writing." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Awake, Watson?" he asked. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "My photograph." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided forebodings. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable as he remarks, very much against the son."