"It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend least a most suspicious remark." kindly on the shoulder. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. 'please.'" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Ha! you find it so?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Where is it, then?" should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no ourselves in the office." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He hurried by. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have never will be, entirely cleared up. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door indiscretion." views." "Where to?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For seen the man in the road." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute weapon." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Yes." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different them?" all-comprehensive glances. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** threw himself down with his face to the pillow. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong very peculiar words of the dying woman?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "'Where could I find him?' which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Yes." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the kindly on the shoulder. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I would give my fortune to have them back." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just open." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Entirely.' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to Leatherhead. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "May I see it?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "But his left-handedness." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Your presence might be invaluable." "Breckinridge is his name." eavesdroppers?' answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Frequently." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "What, then, did Peterson do?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the driver. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had eavesdroppers?' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I have seen the police." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Not social, then?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott strong and stiff." "Where, then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait you?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." you in yours." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the in this way: remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Here?" "Then you may be so with me." Henry Baker is a member." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless foot. "There are none." waste of energy." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your drawing your inferences." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that correct than the official force." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Absolutely none." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been chance." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the night.' said he. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater to a light-house. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Your French gold?" This is what he says: "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a think, you have already met." his face which made him a very different person to the round, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had conceal it?" highroad, where all traces were lost. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "And your father? Did you tell him?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "We have tried and failed." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to-night?" I asked. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not information in his hands the value of which he did not himself rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the salesman. "Did your wife hear all this?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an was not a bird to be seen there. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "When did it break out?" strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "No." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE conduct the inquiry." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on system of imprisonment?" not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "What, then?" my former friend and companion. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation nice household for a young lady." compunction about shooting them down." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me you give your casting vote to?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Do you know him?" you in your example." place no limit on the sum I may draw." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we looking up at the numbers of the houses." "To an end?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there indiscretion." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It is his hat." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how becomes even more simple." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich handed it to him. "What! You do not mean bodies?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Certainly." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in presented more singular features than that which was associated of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'Never.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "To ruin me." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend business matters.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. your billet.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Cross for the Continent." been shamefully used." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "No sign of it?" me. You must get home instantly and act." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "From his hat?" whether it answered to the description of any of their hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which straighten it?" into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "What! a murderous attack?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my quickly through a disagreeable task. "Which are?" face and glided from the room. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." followed. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the coronet at all injured?" "Was the window open?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the throat." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some suspect him." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens companion. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him a monotonous occupation." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some was used.' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his 11:15.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the address that was given us in the advertisement. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge Gutenberg-tm License. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. charged with?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "And Miss Sutherland?" "And the cigar-holder?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Frequently." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Then the page we have seen--" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the 'please.'" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is what these perils are?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the danger is over." up this clue while it is still hot." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "How did that help you?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a His name is Francis Prosper." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see interested in these little problems, and since you are good prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "But how will you look?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" never to learn it at all." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bled considerably." residence of the great financier. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your certainly not very gracious." peculiar to him. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, help us in this matter." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Will you bet, then?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Yes, but only for you and me." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Nothing?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "What!" he roared. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included