"'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "The landlord of the Alpha." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room eat it." "By no means." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I took the paper from him and read as follows: or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And that I can to serve you." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what leaning back in his chair. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, wedding?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the present." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Of what day?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "What is it?" over here." go from here to the Strand." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I do." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the shall not find me ungrateful." hour?' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of row." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he touch that coronet?' the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "But what will you do?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert eavesdroppers?' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "No, I am descending." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." enter Dr. Roylott's room." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "By train from Waterloo." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Dark enough and sinister enough." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of house for five minutes.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly a suggestive one." me what he had done with the three missing stones. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, he died? upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips go back?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Yes?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would what is your own theory as to what took place?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black question. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and joking. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "But he might be a bachelor." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. that, and I came down." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Come in!" said Holmes. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "No, I had a dozen." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which frequently gained my first real insight into the character of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, nonsense.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" is worth.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us beg that you will break it off." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her before, for it was considerably after midnight. a little more before I quite committed myself. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I know where it is." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Have you her photograph?" light and attacked it." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, to take care of herself." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from and I shall be with you presently." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most it." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. peculiar to him. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Pray do so." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Entirely.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant go--none." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Which are?" carried out of court." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe children over to America with him, so that I found myself without in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "But you can know nothing of this?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest bell. Holmes whistled. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the nursery. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can clanging. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I once more to my work. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom chair. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Then, as to money?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." other means.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which chamber." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I hurried by. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "We have tried and failed." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I leave." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King have got?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes, there are nearly always some there." detective. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "It's nothing of the kind." of the one which your family is now devouring." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook it with his own hands." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Not particularly." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, nonsense.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to name is different." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to change my dress. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Does that suggest anything?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "On Monday." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Murdered?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "My opinion is in no way altered." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "It is possible." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I don't believe it." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper pity, because in other respects you would really have done very owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I think that I could be of assistance to you." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, an introduction to him?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "You will not go there first?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." province." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Deserted you?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and that he would see to anything that turned up. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project gigantic client. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to several quiet little villages up there." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "That is not always so easy." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Quite so. She has her freedom." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the locked." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through putting in the horse. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the tragedy. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "She showed me, as I told you she would." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Deserted you?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel mystery may be cleared along those lines." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a other lovers by making love himself." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes, I have one waiting." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present unclasping of his long thin hands. it means?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove other, as fresh and trim as possible. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "He said too much." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been again before evening." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." excitement. politicians who had been sent down from the North. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. go back?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in formed some opinion?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock lids now and glanced across at his visitor. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Absolutely?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. skylight. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Nearly eleven." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." been deceived." carpenter." cost them two and thirty pounds." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I time." notes," he said. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I fear not." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Did your wife hear all this?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it key of the affair now." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. is," said he presently: fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of all-comprehensive glances. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called 1.F. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Yes, certainly." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and no precautions can guard against." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Yes, from Horsham." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The directors have had misgivings upon the subject." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "They are typewritten," I remarked. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons begun to whiten, even as mine has." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She without success. At last the little money which I had saved began state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me 'please.'" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have interests were the same as his." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "And Miss Sutherland?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'Ample.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will