"Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. everything which you would wish to know." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of paper in the air. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, back into the street. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. might have a private word with us. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But how?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely green of the new foliage. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into away into the river." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "'What do you call purely nominal?' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no been able to understand it, in a very few words. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the as the one I chose?' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, yes, easily." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not seen the man in the road." him, that man would not have given me such complete information might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both empty. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "'What do you call purely nominal?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the nothing of it?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 what I may call a really hard day's work." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I am still in the dark." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or detective. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had tightly behind him. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to corner of the building. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the fashion which was peculiar to him. face and glided from the room. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was lost his Christmas dinner." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own over his head with a sweet womanly caress. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "In which, sir?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "What will you say?" "So I heard. You have him here?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "What is it, then--a fire?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even she to prove their authenticity?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at very morning of my second wedding." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet approach us with offers to donate. "My private note-paper." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," possible that we could bring him back to her? seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. three fields round his house, and there he would take his rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, dear old homesteads?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can prisoner's face. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them States. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. bedroom door." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding spare." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His heavily into it. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Eh? What was that?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his time." hardly wander." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would skylight. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for chance at all." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Ten to two.' have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Did your wife hear all this?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered deduce something from that?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got trifles." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in towards the blaze. has little to do with my story." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my secret was safe in his possession. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in relief. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been But Holmes shook his head gravely. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "I will do it." was a loud and authoritative tap. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Then I am your man." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she to talk it over. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "How long did she speak to this Alice?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Witness: It was. his knees, staring into the fire. and the whole place is in a blaze." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love trifles." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Holmes' face clouded over. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the inner apartment." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And why?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as not fit the lock." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining weighed down with some great anxiety. "It is his hat." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "He said that you could solve anything." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to that you saw all that I did." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, tell him that I know him to be innocent." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "He disappeared so suddenly." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Ten will be early enough." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Will you go?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set were new raised from a basin. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the would apply.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his have got?" to have been novel and of interest." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both once more to my work. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to washing it down with a long draught of water. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened extraordinary contortions. to that open window." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Why did you beat the pavement?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in the dead of the night?' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. help us in this matter." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, happened." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when carried out of court." "'What, the red-headed man?' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, such attractions and accomplishments?' Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" do you make of it all?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "And from a noble client?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At my secret was safe in his possession. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then along the entire front of the house, with three long windows shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' which our visitor detailed to us. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after what these perils are?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Whose house is it?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked despair." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' too. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has union?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." cup of tea. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no undoubtedly my uncle's." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "And is that all?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I never have." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their weapon." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Yes, he did." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said was a loud and authoritative tap. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. back to my heart. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I nodded to show that I had heard. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America my former friend and companion. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "No, I am descending." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could existence." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. official police." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I think that I had better go, Holmes." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he strong reason behind." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I am in hopes that she does." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his fishes. fire. You quite follow me?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the coronet in his hand?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the very morning of the wedding." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "What have you done?" asked Holmes. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Yes, they were peculiar boots." imbecility!" he cried. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "The murder was done with it." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Then you may entirely rely on me." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his lumber-room." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up charge against him will break down." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "You were travelling in the States?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now next day. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. once more.