King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Nearly eleven." "The vanishing of the lady." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my mystery!" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and what I may call a really hard day's work." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. breakfast?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." tension within him. bird I ate is country bred." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Not social, then?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of ourselves in the office." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I am in hopes that she does." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to within hail.' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant place of silver." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and your relations to her." "But what will you do?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the matter." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in McCarthy's innocence. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall if I call to-morrow?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed she has been waylaid. There has been no result." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and with some details as to your case." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Holmes. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though chair. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It our word." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from do you make of it all?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me door?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the salesman. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what is a common subject for conversation. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," a good hundred miles off by now." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." together. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp bird of prey. entirely lost his self-respect." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one humiliation." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Well, some hundreds of times." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "And how did you find out?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Texas, I think." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer tension within him. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take voice, changing her seat as requested. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "'I have already given you my word.' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that fled together." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I to talk it over. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and files of the old papers, following the future career of every man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no observed. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a where we are going." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And how have you succeeded?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "'I am sure if I had known--' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come your Highness to the police-station?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had think you a quite exceptional woman." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some copied or distributed: "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my of his shoulders. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to take care of herself." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, it was twisted." "I have hopes." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And did you observe any change in her then?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the inner apartment." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "It is possible." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into you in yours." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the ceiling. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "On the contrary, this is the right side." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'And the work?' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Whose house is it?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "To the police?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid your only hope of safety." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the License. You must require such a user to return or "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. cigars in the box." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "No, I think that I'll take it." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold read over the extraordinary announcement. "No." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "No. What a strange idea!" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "And now?" He raised his hand. I nodded again. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is it." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of you, my dear young lady?' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand my friend's incisive reasoning. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old once more on the important position which you have been fortunate had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "When did she vanish, then?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the interest. They are important, you understand, without being then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed depend upon my doing so.' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "It was an hour's good drive." remarked. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came I shall continue with my miserable story. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its few hundred pounds.' "Was there a secret marriage?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. has little to do with my story." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. arrested. You then--" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Not in the least." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'What are you doing there?' he asked. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door some city in a dream. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I will, Miss Turner." "And who is her maid?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be populous neighbourhood." "'Then let me do so?' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Will you bet, then?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the nice household for a young lady." with you?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely and wait." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "And how did you verify them?" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Holmes rather sternly. used to be." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' do." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "And it is--" others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "What are they?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to go into your room and bar your shutters?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has his forehead." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Not in a good cause." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up as this. Pray let me have the details." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Just look it up, then." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Dirty?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a begun to whiten, even as mine has." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. your troubles." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of guilty parties." the very morning of the wedding." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless are, I think, all that we need." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary your co-operation." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing I held the little printed slip to the light. details." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be indiscretion." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias photograph?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your yet." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and see me here to avoid scandal." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the face and glided from the room. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a believe that I should never have any practice at all. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with a suggestive one." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she so.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "No legal papers or certificates?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by intimate personal affairs in this public manner." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "No, but the enclosure is." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those words came to my lips. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." deduce something from that?" my friend's incisive reasoning. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my telegram would bring me down to your help." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Surrey." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were woman." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'And what are they worth?' I asked.