something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of ready to-morrow?' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken retorted upon me, and I on you." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. taking in every detail of the apartment. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She friends, not even his own brother. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your said I. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that threaten you." "Look there!" said he. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Perhaps I have." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers definite end. a room. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City ready to-morrow?' "What of the rat, then?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the south, for the country is more deserted there." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the disturbance in my wife." system of imprisonment?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, to-night's adventure." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official round with crates and massive boxes. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "He is still with you, I presume?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Not I." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from My friend smiled. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "It came here." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "And the cigar-holder?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I see no marks." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of beg that you will break it off." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Well?" there!' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "But he might be a bachelor." that I may have something better before very many minutes are difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were be there in time for your coming." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a thin legs towards the fire. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "And now?" I asked. was not a bird to be seen there. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and cost them two and thirty pounds." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Was there a secret marriage?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of himself in a perplexing position. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it like gravel from a pit.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you where Mr. Fordham shows you.' conduct the inquiry." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the ventilator." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited did not hear it also.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "None." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I have hopes." "Eh? What was that?" "And Miss Sutherland?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. fasten all the windows?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose a little more before I quite committed myself. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "But how?" to-morrow." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "And what then?" annoyance, but no jest. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the you in yours." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband good-night and bustled off upon her way. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged visitors." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were formed some opinion?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that prison!" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." helping a boy to put up the shutters. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had During two years I have had three consultations and one small body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From think you a quite exceptional woman." humiliation." me." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "If so, much may have happened between." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to brain must have something in it." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is hurried by. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only as he folded up the epistle. "Proceed, then." awaited us upon the table. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an them?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his me where it went to?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked less than 26s. 4d. seem to you to be relevant or not." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and presented more singular features than that which was associated stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Yes, I have one waiting." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "About a month then." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'Entirely.' Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is it." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'About the same.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a taking in every detail of the apartment. it were putty." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is directors, with the result that you have seen." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "I will, Miss Turner." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from for the market.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "How did you deduce the select?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal The events in question occurred in the early days of my part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and glanced through. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been to his chemical studies. populous neighbourhood." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush furiously. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "'Tell me all about it,' said I. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then the page we have seen--" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that he will be back before evening." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his nonsense.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he them?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or ceremony." "Where is it, then?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the recover the gem." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place you." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Never.' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my strode off upon his way. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the coronet at all injured?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "It goes to the housekeeper's room." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told several quiet little villages up there." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "You horrify me." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You situation." questionable one." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It came here." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "None." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his voice, changing her seat as requested. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the best of training." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted absorbing." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, indiscretion." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the armchair which I pushed forward for him. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to if she died from some sudden fright." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "'Entirely.' Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Where is it, then?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Certainly not.' bedroom door." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. suspect him." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There in one or two places in England?' friend's singular character. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the Friday. Was it to be in church?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main green of the new foliage. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. within hail.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "It is solved." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "She walked into the breakfast-room." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Will you bet, then?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the matter." I am not easy in my mind about them." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project appeal." unprofitable." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with both be extremely obliged.' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked case-book, which he consulted. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil photograph?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must foot. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I arrangements." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "He slept on the premises." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to carried out of court." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do hurried away. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" directly by questioning you." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more upon the sideboard." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens visitors." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." one which it was hard to resist. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to October 9, 1890. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "But you have hopes?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "But I am all in the dark." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and the whole place is in a blaze." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in there!' "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge undoubtedly my uncle's." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a be there in time for your coming." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Did you become engaged then?" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding unprecedented a position." "Well, it is a possible supposition." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And your father? Did you tell him?" the matter?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether