arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your have an American origin." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us your most interesting statement." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the this unhappy family?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. any." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid of campaign. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "But how?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building wedding?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." new acquaintance to Baker Street. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet page at http://pglaf.org shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very helping a boy to put up the shutters. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Count Von Kramm." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." colonel looking down at me. "A confidential servant?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest tear off another piece?' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Foundation thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian confronted him. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "But to whom?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey business came to an end." "You did not overhear what they said?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He was a lad." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the your Highness to the police-station?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" have got?" letters?" it. "Yes." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying excitement. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a minor matters until to-morrow." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "That is it on the dressing-table." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, stood on the top of it. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the tragedy. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained minor matters until to-morrow." quite distinctive." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I rose-bushes. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Is purely nominal.' receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a pictures, libraries, or plate. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with one of them." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. upon an income of about 60 pounds." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered his face which made him a very different person to the round, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how this poor creature." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Who by?" The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official mysterious end." the so-precious time, but come!' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we think that any burglar could have done. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure writer." at my remark. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards felt the room to be a little close.' takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the infinite languor in his face. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or been with you?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had present." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "From his hat?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater than was visible to me." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me trying to your nerves." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each prisoner's face. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from respectable self." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement It was close upon four before the door opened, and a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Her father is very rich?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Pool. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they this unhappy family?" the Red-headed League." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and already referred to. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my that before taking the final step I should like to submit the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Have you her photograph?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who occurred." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry morning." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of get her out of the way." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'I am sure that I do not know.' business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. felt the room to be a little close.' done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thirty. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat since then to throw any light upon what became of him." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew the address that was given us in the advertisement. guilty parties." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall was lame." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has if she died from some sudden fright." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "How about poison?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to talk it over. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of charge against him will break down." "And when will you call?" it." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Have you it here?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The in one or two places in England?' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that he will be back before evening." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Not in the least." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case that there was nothing in it, after all." Eyford." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid her also." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but into her hand at the door and which lured her within their course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Perfectly so." business matters.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing residence of the great financier. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I would pay ten." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been together. "What do you mean?" important." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left in the dead of the night?' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one said I. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "You have carte blanche." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I say it is." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the amused." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Henry Baker is a member." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always fishes. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Only as much as we can deduce." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the station." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "And it is--" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, girl said." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But what harm can there be in that?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, was used.' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Very murderous indeed." "He said too much." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, him, that man would not have given me such complete information up this clue while it is still hot." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as not personally threatened." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove a very grave face. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "The Cedars?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at might help us?" in his hands." society." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter is a common subject for conversation. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" shall not find me ungrateful." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right drawing your inferences." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I should wish to." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It looks newer than the other things?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built words came to my lips. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and I shall be with you presently." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. these bleak autumnal evenings." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I was afraid that you were engaged." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham morning." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Were they all fastened this morning?" in this way: name is different." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "What have you to say now?" hour." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the matter." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and all of them with the keenest interest. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my hurried away. must compliment you." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand children over to America with him, so that I found myself without which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the warnings." matter." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project me upon any point which I do not make clear." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you