of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's thirty. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Then you may entirely rely on me." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "The doctor?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two been with you?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad outbreak?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Sutherland?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the about here speaks of his kindness to him." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "No." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this once more for Briony Lodge. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local your most interesting statement." for its centre. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the is four-and-twenty." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could not come at once?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and before the coroner and the police-court." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he where we are going." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this appointment with me for six o'clock?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Your French gold?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." husband's writing, madam." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Then he might have called to you?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the where we are going." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the do.' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Yesterday." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "To ruin me." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you made him keep the appointment." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the hurried away. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to have that photograph." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I leave." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You are certainly joking, Holmes." back into the street. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him before, for it was considerably after midnight. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have present strange and interesting features that it is no easy ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." despaired of." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes friends, not even his own brother. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "We have tried and failed." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "The Cedars?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I have my revolver," said I. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such breakfast?" desk. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project It was close upon four before the door opened, and a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 certainly do as you advise." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. and no precautions can guard against." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after his face which made him a very different person to the round, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I meant it for the best. past. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Yes, from Horsham." "ARAT," I read. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'Is purely nominal.' whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "When did she vanish, then?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "In heaven's name, what for?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "No." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was room had already been engaged for us. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional which are rolled in Rotterdam." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "In heaven's name, what for?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And it is--" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Why? What do you mean?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "None." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I was afraid that you were engaged." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I business?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were way: papers must be those that are destroyed.' fled together." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project who was a member of your goose club." "It is possible." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their present." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I galvanised. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been respectable self." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons one which it was hard to resist. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "The decline of his fortunes, then?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in do you make of it all?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime both be extremely obliged.' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But not more so than I to find you." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It surprised me." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and seem to you to be relevant or not." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "To an end?" is," said he presently: clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I cannot tell." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the morning and make my own way in the world.' Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would is a common subject for conversation. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest never to learn it at all." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the becomes even more simple." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, morning." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Then, as to money?" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few his forehead." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand than to us. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' there is a decided draught." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the tragedy. even of instruction." shall not find me ungrateful." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said skylight. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It looks newer than the other things?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is it." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Well, it is a possible supposition." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the one as in the other." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said ventilator." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the inquest, and which are worth considering." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room occupations.' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have again on its way. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "You think so, too?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." danger is over." do.' "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "My dear Holmes!" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with existence." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There fait accompli?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "It was." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Again Holmes raved in the air. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, detective. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock went to the Alpha were town bred." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of plantation.' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which his wife has ceased to love him." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Mrs. Toller serenely. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Sholtos." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and affection." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and overpowering excitement and concern.