shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Ample." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Street. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Gutenberg-tm License. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is delighted to hear it," he said. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Imitated." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "But not more so than I to find you." unprofitable." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'Most admirably.' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, new acquaintance to Baker Street. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your weapon." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never conceal it?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose woman." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our there has been an enclosure here!" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Yes, only one." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Stoke Moran." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would not come at once?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave James Windibank. Voilà tout!" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester was feeling which was the fattest.' down. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became stepfather?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is photograph a cabinet?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Young McCarthy must be got off, however." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "So it appears." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his families. Now for the facts. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Where, then, is my wife?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed himself. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. open." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are your room." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been your bag." Street. "I was mad--insane." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your important." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Then, as to money?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who works. See paragraph 1.E below. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." is acting for the best. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the south-west, I see." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "At half-wages, in fact." so far?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the house with me." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "And I." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "None." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Then you may entirely rely on me." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "They are typewritten," I remarked. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet throat." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. all that?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if window when the police appeared." Pool. voice, changing her seat as requested. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Yes." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. second window is the one that I jumped from." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before back alive. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip matter." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear conclusions. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to there when the Rucastles went away." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience yet." as noiselessly as she had come. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of congratulate you again." to talk it over. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And that is--" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, beg that you will break it off." "You have compromised yourself seriously." our word." did not hear it also.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough me." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to in his hands." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "But his lameness?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And Miss Sutherland?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case read over the extraordinary announcement. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Why that?' I asks. "I have my revolver," said I. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. that?' signal between you and your father? reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "No, my brougham is waiting." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some fluttered off among the others. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Serpentine Avenue. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of away to you." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had beyond words. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. husband's writing, madam." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I see no marks." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached is a common subject for conversation. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your you, my dear young lady?' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, companion. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Mrs. Toller serenely. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke were new raised from a basin. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from your Highness to the police-station?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Pope's Court. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I have hopes." four million human beings all jostling each other within the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "To an end?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. or other trace. But how on earth--" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Which dealer's?' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that I may have something better before very many minutes are roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle recover the gem." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save to-night's adventure." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: coat-tails." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what the window, rose as we entered. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the both be extremely obliged.' "Well." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when province." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Oh, fresh and glossy." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, to tell." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I promise," said Holmes. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is best detective that ever lived. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It's nothing of the kind." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' chamber." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Why serious?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, room. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just of campaign. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate will be renamed. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in him." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, from Horsham." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told wedding?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." make me his representative both with the servants and with the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "It's nothing of the kind." tell them apart.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the face and glided from the room. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation him to go away.' could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the pierced for earrings?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I fear not." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Certainly." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a good-night and bustled off upon her way. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was all-comprehensive glances. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, out." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. success. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "But the mystery?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew carpenter." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: