sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had call it cruel." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my name is different." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and all?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. that, and I came down." head. So long, then!" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the trying to your nerves." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I never have." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hardly wander." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it chair. father's place of business?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the window, rose as we entered. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "And the murderer?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt tightly behind him. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." undoubtedly my uncle's." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Countess of Morcar's?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Well." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical read over the extraordinary announcement. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the meant it for the best. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a hands. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in carriage. It was a chestnut." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Did you become engaged then?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying as the one I chose?' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Game for a morning drive?" future lives." it were putty." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Why, what do you mean?" think that he is innocent?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so you came in." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the driver. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not hardly wander." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained man. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of been with you?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Married! When?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "About a month then." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "By no means." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Come in!" said Holmes. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police invisible to me," I remarked. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "And did you observe any change in her then?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "None." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as indeed happy." already been minutely examined." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "And why?" more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." trying to your nerves." "Who was the criminal, then?" opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no corner of the building. think that he is innocent?" "'How far from the body?' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the was not a bird to be seen there. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. place no limit on the sum I may draw." it right.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even of the way of danger. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the gives a meaning to it." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Thank you. And your address?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient straighten it?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "And leave your case unfinished?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "And the cigar-holder?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "So I heard. You have him here?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end been shamefully used." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present during which he might have communicated with his friend the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a compunction about shooting them down." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked thirty. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is to-morrow." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'Where to?' very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work here and I will read it to you: "My last client of the sort was a king." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Where could I find him?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of sound at heart." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of them has the shutters up.' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, get the tickets." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. where she found matters as described by the last witness. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And how did he make his money?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes, there are nearly always some there." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or sooner or later she must fall a victim. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. indiscretion." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but it with his own hands." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the did not hear it also.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'And the work?' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. disturbance in my wife." him. "I have solved it." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I cannot imagine." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Sutherland. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between delirious. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of one else, I think." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Precisely." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and problems help me to do so." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "My last client of the sort was a king." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to spark where all is dark to me." tear off another piece?' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the devil!" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to compunction about shooting them down." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more your billet.' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it where she found matters as described by the last witness. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Street. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and fact, we may call it conclusive." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for 1.E.9. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend nothing with him." the one as in the other." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." friend's singular character. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "At half-wages, in fact." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "That also I could fathom." directly by questioning you." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society that, and I came down." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in one of the states of the Union." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Well?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right tell him that I know him to be innocent." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am astonishment. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the little opening for the ventilator is." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to arrive at through this?" step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Come in!" said Holmes. "By all means." national property. I was determined that the law should have its higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "No?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the dangers which encompass me." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Ah!" some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sound at heart." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I became a certainty. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and a suggestive one." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" people in all walks of life. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "An accident, I presume?" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "It is half-past ten now." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What have you to say now?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "She walked into the breakfast-room." "9th. McCauley cleared. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "The Cedars?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. His name is Francis Prosper." "I see no marks." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be galvanised. and that he would see to anything that turned up. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. there when the Rucastles went away." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the could not have written that. It is the German who is so