Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really brain must have something in it." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "No, I think that I'll take it." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me as noiselessly as she had come. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB point in the dark hollow of his hand. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. rose-bushes. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they have one." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Yes, sir.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps article?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing For additional contact information: "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. asked. the coroner come to?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Street. is so. I know all about McCarthy." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to then?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction my room." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over young Openshaw's." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Really! You surprise me." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Here?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Then the page we have seen--" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper fled together." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Who was the criminal, then?" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. companion. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot hard-headed British jury." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the Red-headed League." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I absorbing." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Whose house is it?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father purpose of examination. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more questioning and rather startled gaze. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Indeed! Whose, then?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "But we can't all be." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And why?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Yes, the wine-cellar." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a open." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Arthur Conan Doyle withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come which should have the effect of calling the attention of the quite distinctive." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project throat." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Quite so. She has her freedom." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are thirty. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts suggested at once that there must be a communication between the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name both be extremely obliged.' place of silver." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And I say east," said my patient. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your touch that coronet?' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my brandy and water within his reach. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "No, distinctly professional." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. girl said." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt a monotonous occupation." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the south-west, I see." soul! here is her carriage at the door." walking." figure." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Certainly not.' and it need not interfere very much with one's other eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I have seen the police." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these this remarkable episode. "There is the writing." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each companion quietly. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay once more on the important position which you have been fortunate 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I held the little printed slip to the light. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. fashion which was peculiar to him. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Well, but China?" maid will bring up your coffee." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his which was all perfectly true. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "It is possible." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I say that I have solved it." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But you were on a friendly footing?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you bill, which interests me deeply." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Now, then, what's the last entry?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his said he. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It is half-past ten now." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' thought that she would have been so carried away." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. are, and they are waiting for us." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been woman." do.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly charged with?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor to-morrow." not, dad?" she asked. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of the one which your family is now devouring." "Then I can wait in the next room." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. about. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of note-paper. It read in this fashion: against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "'Why that?' I asks. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to take care of herself." it." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "To ruin me." within hail.' "'Certainly not.' open." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of his eyes and forehead. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." cigar and let me expound." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a did not hear it also.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, any." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help nice household for a young lady." who was a member of your goose club." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. which our visitor detailed to us. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do the night.' he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, there was no need for father to know." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we over here." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I am about to be married." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. looking up at the numbers of the houses." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I situation." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how stood on the top of it. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Won't it ring?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left bled considerably." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such confronted him. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only breakfast and whispered something to her husband. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which cheerful." the devil!" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that he will be back before evening." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor companion quietly. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'And what are they worth?' I asked. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes, sir." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "'Then let me do so?' for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure ran thus: then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her undoubtedly my uncle's." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his should be so warm over such a trifle." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better it." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Not him." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning you." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came spare." leave you to your papers for a little." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'I am sure if I had known--' Holmes." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a that there was nothing in it, after all." "He disappeared so suddenly." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is might help us?" unclasping of his long thin hands. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps have not had my rubber." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Do you know him?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." in the hope of finding them." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to one else, I think." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and that he would see to anything that turned up. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Here?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and been." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards said he. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "There is the writing." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to that before taking the final step I should like to submit the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the photograph?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a