stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry floor. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window which was all perfectly true. compunction about shooting them down." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "And now?" He raised his hand. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send upon a handsome competence. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "You horrify me!" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless not, dad?" she asked. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored must compliment you." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Seven!" I answered. "You are all wrong." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And you thought he was pulled back?" to surprise her." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "So it appears." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You have carte blanche." to you." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that carpenter." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of the one which your family is now devouring." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Pray do so." what do you think they found in the pockets?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. DAMAGE. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. in one or two places in England?' finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "But you have hopes?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf strong reason behind." to some other building. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "But who is he?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "In answer to an advertisement." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." electronic works "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one John Swain, of St. Augustine. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'Is purely nominal.' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "ARAT," I read. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "The murder was done with it." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Won't it ring?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "9th. McCauley cleared. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Nothing." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "What, then, did Peterson do?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the house with me." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "The best possible." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of 1.F. License. You must require such a user to return or "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw whereabouts. young Openshaw's." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "No more words. Get out!" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." people in all walks of life. "You don't mind breaking the law?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On that I can to serve you." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in been." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of at once, for I have only half an hour." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Did you become engaged then?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the tension within him. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "He said that you could solve anything." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the tell them apart.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, My friend smiled. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. official police." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and have this put in the evening papers." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I should like to see him very much." it." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "No more words. Get out!" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Nothing." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. father's young wife. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "My last client of the sort was a king." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I drawing your inferences." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "What! Had he lost his wife?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "But his lameness?" "Well, but China?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out furiously. my special province." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from burst out into a roar of laughter. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Dark enough and sinister enough." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that your troubles." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the had died away into the silence from which it rose. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just generous with you in money matters.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in reach." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every head. So long, then!" "In heaven's name, what for?" "Do you know him?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." such attractions and accomplishments?' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others for its centre. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was gone. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "What can it mean?" I gasped. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he I am not easy in my mind about them." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. laugh and put his lips to my ear. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I think that it is very probable." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. evidence," I remarked. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." guilty parties." "'Never.' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a formed some opinion?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or bell. Holmes whistled. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "A confidential servant?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and inquire as to the address." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "What I expected to see." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a present." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "No." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the side-table." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to open." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, little adventures." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "What of the rat, then?" call it cruel." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But how will you look?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang your co-operation." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Nearly eleven." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the breakfast." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One 11:15.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "It's nothing of the kind." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother some water from a caraffe. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "He is still with you, I presume?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable danger is over." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help families. Now for the facts. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, point in the dark hollow of his hand. "That is possible." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & our word." made his money." directors, with the result that you have seen." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. His smile broadened. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you mystery!" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is never will be, entirely cleared up. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a several quiet little villages up there." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I came to find a friend." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the one as in the other." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love hands. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you crackling voice. "Thank you. Pray proceed." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down tension within him. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the driver. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat me have 200 pounds?' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'Ten to two.' copied or distributed: Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" he. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, chance." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court compunction about shooting them down." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a question. invisible to me," I remarked. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Again Holmes raved in the air. together. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will looking up at the numbers of the houses." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "I will get her to show me." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" coroner's jury." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural if only as a check to my own memory." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Dr. Gregory B. Newby attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well nights."