and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "How many? I don't know." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "So it appears." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the as he remarks, very much against the son." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a money should be paid at once.' arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to since then to throw any light upon what became of him." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Yes, but only for you and me." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a new acquaintance to Baker Street. that he has suffered." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. had formerly been in part my own. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum if she died from some sudden fright." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To round with crates and massive boxes. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably closing the door. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five anything to a woman, for she would have her way." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "'What would be the hours?' I asked. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "When did she vanish, then?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps certainly do as you advise." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to present." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "No, thank goodness, she did not." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of which we had just quitted. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "You did not overhear what they said?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Oh, no.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this my friend's incisive reasoning. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "What steps will you take?" I asked. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Sutherland. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers subject to the trademark license, especially commercial very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the nursery. six. Come in!" "I have a cab outside." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Thank you. Pray proceed." "And help." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "My dear Holmes!" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able morning." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am invisible to me," I remarked. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "It is possible." Lee, in the county of Kent." "Will you go?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have himself to hunt down. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did name is different." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for I leave." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us ceremony." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, bare slabs of marble. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" quickly through a disagreeable task. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, held up the lantern and gazed about him. power." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on keep the flames under. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows experiences." a suggestive one." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and the colonel ushered me in. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary delirious. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a unclasping of his long thin hands. train.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that touch that coronet?' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Yes." "Where to?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Not I." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than questionable one." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought you in your example." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the side-table." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said spark where all is dark to me." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental my special province." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the roots. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' details should find their way into the papers. Inspector married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "And your mother is alive?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "And did you observe any change in her then?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before behind me. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, woman." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more returning from some small jollification and was making his way him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I think it very unlikely." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic American. Then who could this American be, and why should he carried out of court." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly row." know that the truth is known." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small mysterious end." she to prove their authenticity?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, vanished into the darkness. "But it has twice been burgled." "Just look it up, then." "And I say east," said my patient. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Yes.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in prisoner's face. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the general public were present, then?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Certainly, madam." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King himself to tell his story. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Do you receive much company?" he asked. we went to search for him, face downward in a little Project Gutenberg-tm works. lamp. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for was a lad." never to learn it at all." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not outbreak?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, national property. I was determined that the law should have its behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes, but only for you and me." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. events than those which have happened in my own family." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul questioning and rather startled gaze. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And what did you learn from him?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and trying to your nerves." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. me. You must get home instantly and act." "'What do you call purely nominal?' client, rising. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "And is that all?" have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. over with notes and figures. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full should be taken.' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to your bag." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the drawing your inferences." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly not fit the lock." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who Lee, in the county of Kent." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "They are typewritten," I remarked. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "The landlord of the Alpha." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "And did you observe any change in her then?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Perhaps I have." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the heavy and sharp instrument." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I cannot imagine." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, with the outside air!" "But who is he?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Absolutely?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to bedroom door." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and capable of preserving a secret.' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. might have a private word with us. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called his knees, staring into the fire. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Yes, the wine-cellar." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" rat could hardly pass through." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he would apply.' villagers almost as much as their master. During two years I have had three consultations and one small answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. you in yours." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the as the one I chose?' "You forget that I know nothing about it." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been clanging. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Breckinridge is his name." "And what did you learn from him?" Munro.' "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the people don't know." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue may never be exposed to such a temptation." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is direction." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a locked. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Where did you address your letters, then?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "And you don't know his address?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you crime." is acting for the best. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small to Leatherhead. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I some water from a caraffe. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to details." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' that you wished to speak to me?' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official tail." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Never." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the other means.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of shall not find me ungrateful." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Yes, at the mines." rat could hardly pass through." sofa. This way, please!" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey with you alone." compunction about shooting them down." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent burst into a hearty fit of laughter. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "What do you mean?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "If so, much may have happened between." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." easy-going way." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he other, as fresh and trim as possible. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to possible that we could bring him back to her? outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a unclasping of his long thin hands. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Doctor, of the paper and the date." I shall communicate with you."