"And when will you call?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "How did you deduce the select?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Stoke Moran." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. other, as fresh and trim as possible. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that only touch the interest." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the sufficient punishment." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Witness: It was. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Ten will be early enough." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "By all means." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building crime. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and goes." again." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "I fear not." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob call for it in person on Monday morning.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "ARAT," I read. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And is that all?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round look dissatisfied." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." anything to do with the matter?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without them present such singular features as the strange train of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Nothing?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Was there a secret marriage?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and said he at last. "I cannot tell." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate fire. You quite follow me?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for ordinary clothes on?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, there has been an enclosure here!" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the coronet in his hands?" to his chemical studies. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you golden eyeglasses. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "You have a clue?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Imitated." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the village inn over there?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." himself to hunt down. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." electronic works however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior The telegram which we eventually received came late one night fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done down in his armchair and closing his eyes. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I have solved it." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Whose house is it?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and these bleak autumnal evenings." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "I will try. What is it?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been are, and they are waiting for us." in the hope of finding them." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Here?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." had died away into the silence from which it rose. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "But how?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first place of silver." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I will, Miss Turner." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the one of them." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and very old mansion. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "None." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Mary, has deserted me." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was said he. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he late!' writing, and yet I know it well." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I have hopes." that you saw all that I did." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and shall probably return to London by the evening train." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the had formerly been in part my own. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from shoulder. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Yes, sir.' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "On your arm?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was you found me to-night--and running through the front room she goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to do.' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed anything to do with the matter?" "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Texas, I think." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but pictures, libraries, or plate. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and she used." "It is solved." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he you do it in twenty minutes!' answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "In answer to an advertisement." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the little opening for the ventilator is." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the his face. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Thank you. Pray proceed." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It is half-past ten now." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for waste of energy." shoulder; "he's all right." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary you." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." a suggestive one." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Chief Executive and Director hurried by. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable and the colonel ushered me in. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Then, as to money?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat careless servant girl?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he instincts rose up against that laugh. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own desk. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were to talk it over. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was depend upon your compliance." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Gutenberg-tm License. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" upon an income of about 60 pounds." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "When did she vanish, then?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the Red-headed League." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have I gained?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I have solved it." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Which dealer's?' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, open." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Never." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in way in everything. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the matter?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he garden below. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that you saw all that I did." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number figure." be.' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Then you may be so with me." wedding?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "No, but the enclosure is." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" presume?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little me. You must get home instantly and act." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary shall use the carriage to-night." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "But how?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. future lives." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have was keenly on my guard against him. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently