"He slept on the premises." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down address. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'I am sure that I do not know.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "The Coroner: What do you mean? to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless desk. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "How many? I don't know." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be relief. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, to-morrow." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." locked." "Yesterday." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "And you can do nothing until then?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." little trying to do so much typewriting?" "If so, much may have happened between." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." you." were new raised from a basin. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a keep the flames under. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "And help." certainly do as you advise." said I. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I cannot imagine." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'Entirely.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all south, for the country is more deserted there." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no more solid." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the outside. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how colonel looking down at me. presume?" ourselves in the office." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which bird of prey. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of the way of danger. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which until night should bring an explanation. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "By train from Waterloo." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. fled together." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I say it is." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Never." particular state visit http://pglaf.org signal between you and your father? "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one it." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to appeal." his face which made him a very different person to the round, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in to some other building. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and existence." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, better grown goose." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, upon the shelf for the interim." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever than to us. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "So I heard. You have him here?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" murdered man." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Then he might have called to you?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we upon the sideboard." "But his left-handedness." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to-night?" I asked. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was pressing in one house as in another. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the head. So long, then!" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Why did you beat the pavement?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any in your London, you will know that the office of the company is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and three fields round his house, and there he would take his saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "But not more so than I to find you." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' You want to know what became of those geese?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Entirely." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said way: effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the fatally injured? "Nearly eleven." "I am to be neutral?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "And sit in the dark?" do you make of it all?" "What office?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of name is different." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the date of his supposed suicide." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which child?' bled considerably." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to I have it here in my museum." "I will, Miss Turner." unprofitable." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think or in danger--" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "That is possible." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Very truly yours, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT three of the beryls in it, was missing. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking What do you deduce from it?" the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Murdered?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Dark enough and sinister enough." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke husband's writing, madam." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "10th. John Swain cleared. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "That is unusual in a young girl." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to for its centre. "'You cannot say what it was?' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to his chemical studies. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of new duties?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I them, and came down just as you departed. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Well, some hundreds of times." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some about. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian himself to tell his story. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white already referred to. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass matters immensely." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now you?' to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "It is possible." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, meant." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the himself to hunt down. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "That you are never beaten." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a http://gutenberg.net/license). "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Eyford." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Yes." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like burst out into a roar of laughter. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Tired-looking or fresh?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret suspect him." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." better in every way that they should make their position a little suspect him." "Certainly." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof undoubtedly my uncle's." "I am all attention, madam." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious suddenly upon us." has little to do with my story." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Clair, of Lee." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the orange pips. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "At half-wages, in fact." voice, changing her seat as requested. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Witness: Nothing definite. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until It was close upon four before the door opened, and a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all I have it here in my museum." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be furiously. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains go back?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was floor. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the should be so warm over such a trifle." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Yes, there are nearly always some there." photograph?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself http://www.gutenberg.net while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing down. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Then I can wait in the next room." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem must compliment you." newspaper selections." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Leave Paddington by the 11:15." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it everything which you would wish to know." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the inquest, and which are worth considering." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to I shall communicate with you." His name is Francis Prosper." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the night.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I village inn over there?" What do you deduce from it?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yes, certainly." "'Certainly not.' your sleep?' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the outside. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Yes." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent without success. At last the little money which I had saved began article?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" morning." recover the gem." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, redistribution. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Why did you pick him?" McCarthy's innocence. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. in darkness. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is eat it." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to you." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind if she died from some sudden fright." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Heh?' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "BALLARAT." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given