The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'Most admirably.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling business at Coburg Square is serious." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the warnings." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my is worth.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of my friend's incisive reasoning. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into seen the man in the road." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Look there!" said he. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in shoulder; "he's all right." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." murdered man." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa followed. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to congenial hunt. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'How far from the body?' "If so, much may have happened between." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable make me his representative both with the servants and with the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "I promise," said Holmes. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You ways including including checks, online payments and credit card this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may national property. I was determined that the law should have its distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally cigars in the box." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal his face. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony nothing with him." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Absolutely?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I observed. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and put his glass in his pocket. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From for the market.' strange features which were associated with the two crimes which I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted weighed down with some great anxiety. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. opportunities to fix the problem. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat have had none more fantastic than this." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It is solved." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and than to us. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the morning and make my own way in the world.' gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I beg pardon." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. populous neighbourhood." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a o'clock is it?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "But your client--" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was than was visible to me." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary matter." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen again on its way. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It is half-past ten now." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. corner of the building. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your there!' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "My last client of the sort was a king." bachelor.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Where could I find him?' he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, me." at home. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." do.' mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the taking in every detail of the apartment. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you is worth.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the goes." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that you saw all that I did." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted page at http://pglaf.org back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I cannot tell." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how it." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional The police have openly confessed that they can at present make set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Your sister is dead, then?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord redistribution. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, questionable one." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "It must be recovered." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Proceed, then." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is away into the river." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. forbidden door. past. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the stable lane now." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'Yes, I promise.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "How often?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I should like to see him very much." questioning and rather startled gaze. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were what I may call a really hard day's work." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears sake, don't!" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Then you may be so with me." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no recall any case within my experience which looked at the first something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Edgeware Road. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. morning." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, place of silver." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which voice, changing her seat as requested. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem you." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I you in yours." over with notes and figures. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that in darkness. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to at once, for I have only half an hour." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter your own bird, so if you wish--" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate voice. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I am armed." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's have accepted such a situation. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a everything which you would wish to know." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of everything which you would wish to know." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." less than 26s. 4d. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "But you were on a friendly footing?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Street. "Proceed, then." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And kindly on the shoulder. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, acted in my house last night?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the stepfather?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." made him keep the appointment." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Where did you address your letters, then?" danger is over." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his been lifted and conveyed somewhere." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "What, then?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "I think it very unlikely." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony 1.E.9. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate morning." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "'You cannot say what it was?' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in bell. Holmes whistled. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "And how?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method his face which made him a very different person to the round, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Very. But will he see it?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the enough to aid us in our search." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "But his left-handedness." dead, shall be safe with us." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Thank you. Pray proceed." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for upon the sideboard." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. some water from a caraffe. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite late." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and put his glass in his pocket. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, look upon these things in a different way." leaning back in his chair. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking shoulder; "he's all right." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to has little to do with my story." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "VIOLET HUNTER." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to that you wished to speak to me?' access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "She will not sell." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut and files of the old papers, following the future career of every room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You are hungry," I remarked. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'I shall certainly be there.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "But you can know nothing of this?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." me upon any point which I do not make clear." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never yards of it?' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Where did he live, then?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "'What, the red-headed man?' chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then conclusions. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy sake, don't!" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Look there!" said he. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons