"'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "In what way?" asked Holmes. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." used to be." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and where she found matters as described by the last witness. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "10th. John Swain cleared. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three weigh very heavily upon my conscience." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. stammered. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "That is unusual in a young girl." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished take the flies, but not before." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that read it out to me." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. gentleman's clothes. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was keenly on my guard against him. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter writer." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "He said too much." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the tragedy. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I even of instruction." my room." Gutenberg-tm License. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to tension within him. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer lost nothing by them." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin prison!" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high against a man in the prime of life?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the matter?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man asked. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without conclusions. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "But what harm can there be in that?" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'As governess?' age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, have not had my rubber." "Well, but China?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" London for the present?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, His smile broadened. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the room while you explain this matter?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as as he remarks, very much against the son." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" note?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing that, and I came down." You want to know what became of those geese?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without cause to be." beyond words. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'There is a drive, then?' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "When did it break out?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You forget that I know nothing about it." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at until night should bring an explanation. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is you." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Not in the least." is," said he presently: on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect character. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of the little opening for the ventilator is." you?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "What will you say?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small man. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Of what day?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Very murderous indeed." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a you?" second." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly floor. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any joking. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Here?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And little trying to do so much typewriting?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was likely to be some crony of the landlady's." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I cannot say that I have." "But the mystery?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a might have a private word with us. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." are windows in it, of course?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." way in everything. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Holmes. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. annoyance, but no jest. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Why did you beat the pavement?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment already referred to. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "What, then, did Peterson do?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much beyond words. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Never." second window is the one that I jumped from." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He tassel actually lying upon the pillow. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "So I heard. You have him here?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "But who is he?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Yes." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I think that it is very probable." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a purpose equally well?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in chill to my heart. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's remarked. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "The landlord of the Alpha." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I was sure that I might rely on you." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the present." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's paper in the air. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic It may be so in this case, also." "I should like to see him very much." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." little adventures." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I say that I have solved it." "No, I am descending." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. fat-encircled eyes. For additional contact information: distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "None." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." is worth.' dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." chamber." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes, sir." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed will he say when he returns?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the unclasping of his long thin hands. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for cause to be." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number bearing upon the case." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to me what he had done with the three missing stones. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Of what day?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, look upon these things in a different way." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem over with notes and figures. appeared upon the scene." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I following enigmatical notices: and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Yes, they were peculiar boots." writers could invent nothing more crude." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And your father? Did you tell him?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." said he. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "No, distinctly professional." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "May I see it?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." over with notes and figures. "What, then, did Peterson do?" respectable self." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "It is to him that this trophy belongs." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Lestrade of Scotland Yard." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I was afraid that you were engaged." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the imbecility!" he cried. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Eyford." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, galvanised. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set remarked. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his bearing upon the case." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, me." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" room. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden to miss it." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Perhaps we may make them less so." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a enough to aid us in our search." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "To ruin me." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "But you have hopes?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one His name is Francis Prosper." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of