"That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even might have a private word with us. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the with her." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your were new raised from a basin. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Watson," he said cordially. "No. What a strange idea!" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, cheerful." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should through." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Yes, but only for you and me." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are sound at heart." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Murdered?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has get her out of the way." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "No good news?" "'Which dealer's?' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Stolen, then." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever the stable lane now." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Entirely." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come woven round him. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the posted to-day." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had silent! Oh, he will be silent!' word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three a good hundred miles off by now." place of silver." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I could go. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and the church but not where the lady lived." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a which was all perfectly true. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It is a murder, then?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "A client, then?" signal between you and your father? "'It is locked up,' I answered. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Do you know him?" wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" States. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' which it had come upon my father." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in works. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Where is it, then?" which we had just quitted. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than seem to you to be relevant or not." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the The summons was a brief and urgent one. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by breakfast?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Precisely so. But how--" to-morrow." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, might help us?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in nothing of it?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. make me his representative both with the servants and with the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else strange features which were associated with the two crimes which white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to kindly on the shoulder. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "I have come for advice." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "You were travelling in the States?" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the four million human beings all jostling each other within the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his have got?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said she to prove their authenticity?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "When did she vanish, then?" "The gentleman I describe." "How did he come?" "You are all wrong." hurried away. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 shall use the carriage to-night." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. ready to-morrow?' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to business." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He business came to an end." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. cup of tea. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses more solid." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works side. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "It is possible." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his cheerful." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. used to be." relief. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "And when will you call?" himself in a perplexing position. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'Entirely.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended second window is the one that I jumped from." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many were new raised from a basin. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to you?" "I have solved it." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking said he. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "But what will you do?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it giving me time to thank him. "She will not sell." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "And on what day did he meet his death?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "None." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'You cannot say what it was?' the room while you explain this matter?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew I shall continue with my miserable story. what do you think they found in the pockets?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then woman." key turn in the lock." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of it were putty." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said speckled band?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress been deceived." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the there in twenty minutes." room. it." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and and effective." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into impression behind it as though a window had gently closed secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "He disappeared so suddenly." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The acted in my house last night?" might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "My stepfather's business papers." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Serpentine Avenue. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide call for it in person on Monday morning.' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am all?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord simple cases which are so extremely difficult." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of back to my heart. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 them?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "How on earth--" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a some city in a dream. in the dead of the night?' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there all-comprehensive glances. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Yes." the stones. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Street. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Murdered?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Where, indeed?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired and wait." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" fatally injured? of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "That is easily got." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Pray tell us what has happened to you." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a had picked up in the wood. His name is Francis Prosper." Surrey." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Munro.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "No. His orders were to stay in the house." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, foot. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Street. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a bare slabs of marble. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE green of the new foliage. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I quite distinctive." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "A greater distance to travel." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding stepfather?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I think it very unlikely." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when October 9, 1890. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her nice household for a young lady." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Certainly." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Why serious?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that