lips." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout sentimental considerations in the background which would induce hurried by. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his John Swain, of St. Augustine. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to talk it over. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front occurred." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "And how did you find out?" acted in my house last night?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have danger is over." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the coronet in his hands?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout started for the Temple to see my husband. take the flies, but not before." "I do." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Dr. Gregory B. Newby for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Lee, in the county of Kent." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "This concluded the examination of the witness." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything indeed happy." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and deduce something from that?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I too. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here better grown goose." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Ah!" straighten it?" went to the Alpha were town bred." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a with you?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his within hail.' long narrative. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Were they all fastened this morning?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes to tell." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Of what?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set manager. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City to you." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest reach." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her past. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it peculiar to him. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was province." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "But I am all in the dark." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'I shall certainly be there.' towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that following enigmatical notices: "But you can know nothing of this?" down. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "What! a murderous attack?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "No, my brougham is waiting." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the little opening for the ventilator is." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "You know me, then?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and are windows in it, of course?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his visitors." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this acted in my house last night?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls people in all walks of life. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day I am not easy in my mind about them." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four key of the affair now." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of works. See paragraph 1.E below. it. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters is entirely a question of barometric pressure." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and to you." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to his chemical studies. are windows in it, of course?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., thought that she would have been so carried away." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes, it was twisted." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big For additional contact information: In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Your French gold?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be some mystery and the punishment of some crime." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'In my own bureau.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither back into the street. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have she might be summoned. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" This is what he says: "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'As governess?' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a are windows in it, of course?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the house with me." system of imprisonment?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had way in everything. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had breakfast." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are works. See paragraph 1.E below. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from weighed down with some great anxiety. companion. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the happened." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he window when the police appeared." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with formed some opinion?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "I will do it." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable all-comprehensive glances. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to-night?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. colour had been driven from his face. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Do you go out much in society?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the best of training." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that obstinate." papers." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at most important business. It is probable that he will be away all As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their chill to my heart. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: girl said." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his do." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Do you receive much company?" he asked. goes." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. sparkled upon his finger. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Deserted you?" "No bad?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across fasten all the windows?" the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "When did it break out?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced think you a quite exceptional woman." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a if only as a check to my own memory." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive I have it here in my museum." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." assist you in forming an opinion." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the people in all walks of life. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely there!' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of meant it for the best. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient business." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been beyond words. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin God! What an exposure! What can I do?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring perplexity from it to my illustrious client. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "I was certainly surprised to find you there." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. here." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the