"Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he chemical work which was so dear to him. "She told me to ask you." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear plantation.' views." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin again on its way. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I cannot tell." Does that suggest anything?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as crackling voice. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in will not take me long to tell. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I directly by questioning you." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I leave." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that he will be back before evening." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." opened the door, and slipped through. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "We must sit without light. He would see it through the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "It must be recovered." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions behind me. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and read over the extraordinary announcement. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Miss Holder?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "He is dead," cried several voices. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had introspective fashion. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" with the outside air!" 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she o'clock is it?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Of Friday, June 19th." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town wanted for ourselves." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs not personally threatened." you." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in of Mr. Rucastle's." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Well?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "My dear Holmes!" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed followed. "What do you make of that, Watson?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg a suggestive one." late." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish little trying to do so much typewriting?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in and your relations to her." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. true." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I said I. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Absolutely?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as had died away into the silence from which it rose. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold was keenly on my guard against him. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "At what time?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by of them has the shutters up.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they assist you in forming an opinion." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of most interesting one." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a all?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it there has been an enclosure here!" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and seven miles from Eyford Station.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "To an end?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and wait." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary morning." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been long narrative. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might out." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Was he the only applicant?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater http://www.gutenberg.net unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much business." intrusion of other matters." grasp, he hurried from the room. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Why, what do you mean?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by here." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before anything to do with the matter?" purpose equally well?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Seven!" I answered. Literary Archive Foundation began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had fear." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Did your wife hear all this?" the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "My own seal." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I what these perils are?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "There is the writing." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand even of instruction." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself off." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Could he throw no light?" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "They are typewritten," I remarked. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Really! You surprise me." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "His face fell immediately. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me him, that man would not have given me such complete information her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the house with me." "How often?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the when your master had gone out." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Yes." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this with frightened eyes at his accuser. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." think that he is innocent?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have were wasted." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." your own bird, so if you wish--" call it cruel." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the manager. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need simple cases which are so extremely difficult." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Precisely." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy enough to aid us in our search." the bottom.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "A client, then?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial both be extremely obliged.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning woven round him. dear old homesteads?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Then let me do so?' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young awkward doing business with an alias." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was suspect him." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in come either from the window or the door. My attention was absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness upon a handsome competence. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time stood on the top of it. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the here." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If tail." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "How long did she speak to this Alice?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable My friend smiled. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a residence of the great financier. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Lee, in the county of Kent." roused himself from his reverie. locked. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "But what harm can there be in that?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "And how did you verify them?" go back?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so enter Dr. Roylott's room." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not your bag." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel started for the Temple to see my husband. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem was already answered. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. taking in every detail of the apartment. "At what time?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the meanly of me." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were be sorry for having acted so harshly." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a residence of the great financier. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Nothing." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "And now?" He raised his hand. amused." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "By all means." "Yes, all." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had this unhappy family?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. events, Mr. Windibank!" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "By all means." "But it has twice been burgled." just called myself is not exactly my own." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "That is possible." "Only as much as we can deduce." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between morning." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very that Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "And why in hopes?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "What!" he roared. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Quite so." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the stones. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'You cannot say what it was?' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of manager. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple them present such singular features as the strange train of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "What is it?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend you for a few hours?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, you in your example." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning writing, and yet I know it well." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a one which it was hard to resist. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." laugh and put his lips to my ear. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the nursery.