eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it be there in time for your coming." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it weighed down with some great anxiety. "But we can't all be." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "So I heard. You have him here?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely the little opening for the ventilator is." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Then I am your man." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an notes," he said. "Certainly." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Quite so." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he my secret was safe in his possession. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of the way of danger. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had there were one or two details which were new to me. But the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or here." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the lost his Christmas dinner." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of himself. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had disturbance in my wife." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' and laid it on the table. "She told me to ask you." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Yes." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "It came here." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They bore every mark of being an average commonplace British twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then I can wait in the next room." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we sound at heart." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the you?' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "On your arm?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to good for you to do.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I have my revolver," said I. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature front of the hall door has given its name to the place. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed weary and pale-looking. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how of this gang." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would instincts rose up against that laugh. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "A confidential servant?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "I warn you that they are very incomplete." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he visitors." article?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their at my own good fortune. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle that there was nothing in it, after all." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "That was it, sir." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the strength of mind to control. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to events than those which have happened in my own family." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other very old mansion. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "And for present expenses?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Never to return." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "You don't mind breaking the law?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Street. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for page at http://pglaf.org me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I should be immensely obliged to you." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. which was all perfectly true. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" putting in the horse. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my it." "But what will you do?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was several quiet little villages up there." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the Red-headed League." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "And Miss Sutherland?" walking." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the coronet in his hands?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of remarked. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. over part of the map. "What do you read?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Holmes' thin, eager face. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the child." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'About the same.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And I say east," said my patient. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained it with his own hands." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "No. What a strange idea!" "I cannot imagine." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my works. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured were wasted." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to you, my dear young lady?' Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "She told me to ask you." happened." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by important." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the foot. him to go away.' heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold three fields round his house, and there he would take his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "That is easily got." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My upon a handsome competence. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite success. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing one of them." these bleak autumnal evenings." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black down in his armchair and closing his eyes. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a careless servant girl?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly than to us. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the window, rose as we entered. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "So I heard. You have him here?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into has little to do with my story." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "That is not always so easy." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "What shall I do?" are, and they are waiting for us." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that hour." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "No." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to his wife has ceased to love him." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "It surprised me." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Can I be of assistance?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer presented more singular features than that which was associated "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He giving me time to thank him. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it morning." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "What, then?" said I. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. hurried by. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his mysterious business." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then me." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "I am sure." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "At what time?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, leave you to your papers for a little." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "But how did you gain them?" events, Mr. Windibank!" His name is Francis Prosper." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "If I can be of use." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the together. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at coat-tails." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit stalked out of the room. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I fled together." galvanised. wedding?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, true." for securing the situation." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. lectures into a series of tales." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Pray do so." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the outside." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which your sleep?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I nice household for a young lady." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "You have a clue?" stammered. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally constraint." that I can to serve you." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "She will not sell." remarked. not fit the lock." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in