statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life ago." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At it." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Witness: I must still refuse. "It surprised me." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may photograph?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "This photograph!" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me little adventures." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "But I am all in the dark." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. which our visitor detailed to us. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Holmes. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far there in twenty minutes." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "I was afraid that you were engaged." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, During two years I have had three consultations and one small with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "And how have you succeeded?" himself in a perplexing position. which are rolled in Rotterdam." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, opportunities to fix the problem. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich I was concerned in it." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving in one or two places in England?' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." indeed happy." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" more terrible than the truth. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his congratulate you again." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried made his money." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back occurred." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the Red-headed League." more solid." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two unprofitable." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "She walked into the breakfast-room." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. client, rising. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp was already answered. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my gone. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just at home. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. yourselves in at night?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "And what did you see?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or went to the Alpha were town bred." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, be.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her http://gutenberg.net/license). Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Holmes rather sternly. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the bed, and you in that chair." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third and the church but not where the lady lived." to-night?' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "But we can't all be." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your results." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an it? Did I buy the geese off you?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'It is locked up,' I answered. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home fishes. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Tired-looking or fresh?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he enter Dr. Roylott's room." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I shall be delighted." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I strode off upon his way. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the warnings." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I once more for Briony Lodge. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Of what day?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, that I am arrested." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Street. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him returned to France?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Holmes rather sternly. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Just look it up, then." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, morning." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I reach." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, made him keep the appointment." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander have established a very serious case against the son of the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the conduct the inquiry." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "I am all attention, madam." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every placed his cuttings. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "To the police?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few papers must be those that are destroyed.' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital made him keep the appointment." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. imbecility!" he cried. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" chamber." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "What will you say?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "How often?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Yes." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the promised to bring home. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Again Holmes raved in the air. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fish-monger and a tide-waiter." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and into the bag, and made for the door. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I will do it." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of 1.F. "'Oh, no.' august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to him and tried to hold him back. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first some city in a dream. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "We must have a cab." "I will not look." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair been shamefully used." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "You think so, too?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without you." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Not particularly." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "That you are never beaten." you, my dear young lady?' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' on re-entering her father's house?" narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Very much so." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel purpose of examination. "They are typewritten," I remarked. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "It is his hat." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway brought there to personate someone, and the real person is humiliation." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might indeed happy." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the dangers which encompass me." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you humiliation." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "None." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger carried out of court." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set people don't know." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that be. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, stepfather?" "'In my own bureau.' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our lost his Christmas dinner." "Indeed! Whose, then?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner quick march!" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I was mad--insane." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "The King of Scandinavia." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he business." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been one's self under obligations.' there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement wedding?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" telegram would bring me down to your help." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan upon the shelf for the interim." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my gbnewby@pglaf.org the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Of what day?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "But your client--" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, who was a member of your goose club." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Not in a good cause." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little weary and pale-looking. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, happened." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, clang of the bell. present." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me furiously. in a very precise fashion." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring believe that I should never have any practice at all. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in a very precise fashion." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "He said too much." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge conduct the inquiry." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I cannot say that I have." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I am following you closely," I answered. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. one of the states of the Union." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully