some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his out." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who trying to your nerves." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we business at Coburg Square is serious." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Foundation beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" me where it went to?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It is possible." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'As governess?' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," my room." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and deduce something from that?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He maid will bring up your coffee." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Holmes rather sternly. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." business at Coburg Square is serious." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I was afraid that you were engaged." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, if only as a check to my own memory." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Then I can wait in the next room." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the disturbance in my wife." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the bottom.' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "So I have heard." "No more words. Get out!" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this matter over." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the started for the Temple to see my husband. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled strode off upon his way. stalked out of the room. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco What do you deduce from it?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. colour had been driven from his face. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have foot. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between wall." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at occupations.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Entirely." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and question. "But how will you look?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening direction." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "How many? I don't know." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on answer." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in so far?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and laid it on the table. him!" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "You have compromised yourself seriously." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of he bowed and left the room without another word. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I saw her in conversation with her maid." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm forebodings. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining again before evening." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular outside." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Pray continue your narrative." mystery." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian room?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of written, and locked the door of the office after me. "'There is a drive, then?' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between to where he stood hid behind the curtain. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection said I. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the them?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure few hundred pounds.' "Come in!" said he. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and the whole place is in a blaze." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight that I may have something better before very many minutes are "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "A confidential servant?" with some details as to your case." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of London for the present?" mystery." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" indeed which he could not unravel. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will gone before you can get him to hospital." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps made his money." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the coroner come to?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "And why in hopes?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your own family. yet." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'You cannot say what it was?' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately ventilator." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the respectable self." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I see many objections to any such theory." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little American. Then who could this American be, and why should he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You have a clue?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it do.' once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Dirty?" "My Mary? Impossible!" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this one of them." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "ARAT," I read. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "In answer to an advertisement." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Certainly, madam." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the unkempt, staring out at me. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the murdered man." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to take care of herself." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. throat." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I be. "And how did you find out?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John hour." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which than was visible to me." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to point our research must commence, and we will begin it by this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have away into the river." lamp in his hand. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room in your London, you will know that the office of the company is drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my imbecility!" he cried. may never be exposed to such a temptation." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the never will be, entirely cleared up. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of six. Come in!" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to surprise her." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Holmes' thin, eager face. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she vault. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you had died away into the silence from which it rose. done what I asked you, Jones?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Miss Holder?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "And how?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Stoke Moran?" said he. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I will, Miss Turner." certainly do as you advise." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his infinite languor in his face. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Yes, certainly." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a way in." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "I am sure." "Will you bet, then?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. go--none." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and disappearance of these gems?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" out of this horrible affair." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, should be taken.' were wasted." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them had picked up in the wood. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old amused." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and prepare for the new role I have to play." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'What, the red-headed man?' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City and a shock of very red hair. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue handed it to him. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "But to whom?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I say that I have solved it." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no affection." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Holmes' thin, eager face. orange pips. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "That is possible." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove indeed happy." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Again Holmes raved in the air. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of married her." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Mary, has deserted me." returning from some small jollification and was making his way should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made his eyes and forehead. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "But it has twice been burgled." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I