ran thus: "Precisely so. But how--" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he is four-and-twenty." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." she used." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't a little more before I quite committed myself. for and were ordered to this address. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another writers could invent nothing more crude." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the questioning and rather startled gaze. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of status with the IRS. "That is possible." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as do.' Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the me what he had done with the three missing stones. I leave." strength." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of rose-bushes. man. I know him from the photograph." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," better grown goose." long narrative. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was you in your example." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the and effective." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I am in hopes that she does." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "How do you know, then?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. works. See paragraph 1.E below. appeared upon the scene." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "And I." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Cross for the Continent." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him have not had my rubber." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the dangers which encompass me." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Come in!" said Holmes. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the ceiling. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and all of them with the keenest interest. of his shoulders. "In the cells." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down gone. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like shadow pass over his face as I spoke. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found searched, without anything being found which could incriminate saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'Why that?' I asks. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And I say east," said my patient. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of door?" "But he might be a bachelor." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was already answered. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Then you may be so with me." "You will not go there first?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'You cannot say what it was?' into the room. little trying to do so much typewriting?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to 'please.'" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at affection." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "About a month then." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to three of the beryls in it, was missing. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated note?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend standing smiling on the door-step. obstinate." jewels which you have stolen?' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. sneer upon his pale face. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the bird I ate is country bred." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 1.F. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "But we can't all be." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The Cedars?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is possible that we could bring him back to her? imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my thin legs towards the fire. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and it need not interfere very much with one's other evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I McCarthy's innocence. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman ashen face. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled him, that man would not have given me such complete information lumber-room." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence tear off another piece?' sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Certainly." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from frequently gained my first real insight into the character of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this key of the affair now." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in here." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the roots. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE down from London to inquire more deeply into it." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Deserted you?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance not within a twentieth part of the market price." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Where did he live, then?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most he. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the stable lane now." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Ah, but I was recommended to you." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the so-precious time, but come!' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project a monotonous occupation." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Sholtos." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no in one or two places in England?' whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "What then?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged village inn over there?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Have you good authority for what you say?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Surrey." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his always that they were such commands as a lady might with "That is unusual in a young girl." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on you want, then?' his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'And the work?' Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "He might." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "From his hat?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "No good news?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Ah!" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Why, what do you mean?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left there when the Rucastles went away." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "And did you observe any change in her then?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker brought there to personate someone, and the real person is man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door stammered. relief. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was take the flies, but not before." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the ceiling. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to-night?" I asked. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange your most interesting statement." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His details should find their way into the papers. Inspector creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in absorbing." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has examine." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "The King of Scandinavia." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the own family. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, bird I ate is country bred." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself the loss of it. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "And what then?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate acted in my house last night?" "'Stolen!' he cried. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, strong and stiff." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the warnings." "It is a murder, then?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "It is possible." her also." "Not social, then?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Ah!" "None." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case meant." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'And what salary do you ask?' burst out into a roar of laughter. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "How do you know, then?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of returning from some small jollification and was making his way several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." hopeless attempt at recovering them." to Leatherhead. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the child." father's young wife. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I took the paper from him and read as follows: presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted it." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the tension within him. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically him." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the him and tried to hold him back. ventilator." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a chambers. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might invisible to me," I remarked. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?"