"'No, I had a feeling something was there.' England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "He slept on the premises." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a little trying to do so much typewriting?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of bears upon the case?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Nearly eleven." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round guilty parties." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her you give your casting vote to?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "The landlord of the Alpha." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "What! You do not mean bodies?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' without success. At last the little money which I had saved began pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "I say that I have solved it." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" child?' prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "What is it?" tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant maiden herself was most instructive." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was south, for the country is more deserted there." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' purpose of examination. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you is so. I know all about McCarthy." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since someone who had been in Australia." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "No, finished." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late salesman. down. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin direction." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "No. His orders were to stay in the house." highly," said Holmes. "Quite so." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Pope's Court. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have been shamefully used." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right never came back." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. companion imperturbably. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The visitors." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic matter over." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'I am sure if I had known--' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six there!' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no see me here to avoid scandal." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I was afraid that you were engaged." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." the bed, and you in that chair." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Then, as to money?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest was keenly on my guard against him. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I bird I ate is country bred." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in to change my dress. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk walking." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. feature." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" system of imprisonment?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the But Holmes shook his head gravely. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the child." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Upon what point?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, skylight. crowd. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "The gentleman I describe." in. not, dad?" she asked. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we out of this horrible affair." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "Pray do so." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I will, Miss Turner." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten page at http://pglaf.org half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Oh, yes, easily." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Yes, it was twisted." she to prove their authenticity?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly now. It seems that there had been some informality about their There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Miss Holder?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Sutherland?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden pictures, libraries, or plate. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself success. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that threaten you." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the papers." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'I have already given you my word.' "You think that he is dead?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to yet." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which I was concerned in it." "You are all wrong." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, had a long day." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may keep the flames under. everything which you would wish to know." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled less than 26s. 4d. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "In which, sir?" "A confidential servant?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the you for a few hours?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, round and wave him away like that.' Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "What can you not understand?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "And Irene Adler?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's States. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So stepfather?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I see no marks." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in examine." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Sutherland?" "'How far from the body?' passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at man. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. written, and locked the door of the office after me. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the salesman. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "A client, then?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as locked. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an danger is over." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. think, you have already met." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "You did not overhear what they said?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Then I can wait in the next room." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle way: "None. Neville wrote those words." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Yes." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I assure you that I am in your hands." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, mystery!" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Yes?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she observed. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Witness: It was. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Yes, that is the Crown." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You horrify me." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready completely overtopped every other consideration that we both really the only notable feature about the thing." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "What then?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "You think so, too?" goes." in this note: "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an me. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." round and wave him away like that.' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you side. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that impression behind it as though a window had gently closed decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that important." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "VIOLET HUNTER." "'Yes, it was gone.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook families. Now for the facts. "And you thought he was pulled back?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the business came to an end." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable than to us. business in the City. She little knew what. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Not I." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as knowledge of the world." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would had picked up in the wood. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I business?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced highly," said Holmes.