not personally threatened." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said knowledge of the world." that you saw all that I did." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence point our research must commence, and we will begin it by eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, nights." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not License. You must require such a user to return or "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was may never be exposed to such a temptation." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am questioning and rather startled gaze. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "So I have heard." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "No. What a strange idea!" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. London for the present?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "But he might be a bachelor." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my directors, with the result that you have seen." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' I am not easy in my mind about them." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I see many objections to any such theory." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his again before evening." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached upon the sideboard." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "He slept on the premises." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "He is dead," cried several voices. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment London for the present?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "From his hat?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "But we can't all be." and all of them with the keenest interest. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "What can it mean?" I gasped. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang nothing of it?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might call it cruel." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Pray do so." whereabouts. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City both be extremely obliged.' "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'What do you call purely nominal?' mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, to me. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. IS and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was allusion to a rat. been deceived." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland on in his house." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." man. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Well." "'I have heard so.' the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. showing my impatience. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had prepare for the new role I have to play." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Who was the criminal, then?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes." "No." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." morning." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Not in the least." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the been deceived." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'I am sure if I had known--' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed been lifted and conveyed somewhere." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Then I am your man." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. notes," he said. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The business came to an end." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was is a common subject for conversation. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room disappearance of these gems?" "I am armed." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Nothing." "Very truly yours, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey carpenter." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" it right.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to plantation.' every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled very morning of my second wedding." is so. I know all about McCarthy." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "I will do it." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, call you and give you the chance." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is to go into your room and bar your shutters?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Precisely." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would exactly what you advise." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some upon an income of about 60 pounds." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope lectures into a series of tales." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I wedding?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of not as remarkable as your advertisement." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." http://www.gutenberg.net end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual behind me. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Do you go out much in society?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? not use it unless it is absolutely needed." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I am about to be married." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me new duties?' "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' quick march!" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are carried out of court." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Could he throw no light?" "'Certainly not.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "And on what day did he meet his death?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute fluttered off among the others. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. becomes even more simple." success. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It is no ordinary one." "Very much so." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you he bowed and left the room without another word. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "'How far from the body?' chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's over part of the map. "What do you read?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to a light-house. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." shoulder; "he's all right." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those fled together." Heh?' of your young ladies.' cigars in their mouths. back alive. letters?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, husband's writing, madam." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "If so, much may have happened between." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much country, and eventually married, without anyone having a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Have you it here?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to Stoke Moran." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "No, I am descending." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling there is a decided draught." I am not easy in my mind about them." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This bill, which interests me deeply." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." electronic works "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I wedding?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of receipt of the work. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both were new raised from a basin. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may with her." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for disturbance in my wife." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Oh, yes, easily." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, fishes. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to some other building. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Then let me do so?' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to-night." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or papers." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Holmes, the busybody!" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Perfectly so." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? noting anything else of interest. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" them?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And you don't know his address?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to tell." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into The summons was a brief and urgent one. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are not within a twentieth part of the market price." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Yes, but only for you and me." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "My private note-paper." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he indiscretion." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed wall." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit been." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in