He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "None." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." mystery!" carpenter." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do place, I think that there is good ground to think that the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's for securing the situation." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That round and wave him away like that.' "I assure you that I am in your hands." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and attention." you do it in twenty minutes!' broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of absolutely follow my advice in every respect." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Do you go out much in society?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Very much so." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Most admirably.' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Surrey." not fit the lock." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of campaign. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'Very good.' inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" happened." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove better grown goose." of the one which your family is now devouring." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five brain must have something in it." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black as he remarks, very much against the son." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few you want, then?' have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "It is a murder, then?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By could gather together that I was able to avert another public Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "But it has twice been burgled." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the and I shall be with you presently." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just not fit the lock." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to foot. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the 1.F. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to your Highness to the police-station?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal annoyance, but no jest. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The vanishing of the lady." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes down in his armchair and closing his eyes. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from business in the City. She little knew what. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see at my remark. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering question," said Holmes, smiling. breakfast?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is late!' once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were beyond words. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently works. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. which it had come upon my father." straightened it out again. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the she used." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love question. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I will try. What is it?" definite end. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly touch that coronet?' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. is so. I know all about McCarthy." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a get the tickets." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what of his shoulders. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. was a lad." "'Stolen!' he cried. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip bare slabs of marble. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, society." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, it." "Well?" galvanised. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" woven round him. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from mysterious end." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "No bad?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "And what then?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "She will not sell." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "The Coroner: What do you mean? face and glided from the room. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a official police." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know made his money." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief affair. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "An enemy?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "No." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I don't believe it." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do I have it here in my museum." which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes, he did." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen thirty. better in every way that they should make their position a little where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may with frightened eyes at his accuser. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'A dozen yards or so.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what charge against him will break down." "But how?" said Mr. Holder. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I guilty parties." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these will be renamed. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and that he has suffered." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what my special province." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me fat-encircled eyes. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" an introduction to him?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "It is half-past ten now." never to learn it at all." business." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Then, as to money?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "I will do it." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Thank you. And your address?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all impression behind it as though a window had gently closed unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from some city in a dream. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You are hungry," I remarked. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. think that any burglar could have done. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out kind enough to tell me what I should do." was it brought him the coronet? that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had asked with his eyes open. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" evidence," I remarked. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so morning." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Have you it here?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, less than 26s. 4d. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes, from Horsham." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Breckinridge is his name." "Whose house is it?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "And I to find an enemy." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, cigar and let me expound." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in politicians who had been sent down from the North. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "But he might be a bachelor." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That photograph?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Her father is very rich?" Pool. are, and they are waiting for us." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your beyond words. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again overpowering excitement and concern. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "How about poison?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which words came to my lips. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the his eyes and forehead. window when the police appeared." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step will take you up to see the machine.' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and off." husband's writing, madam." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Nothing?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I say that I have solved it." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Yes." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "VIOLET HUNTER." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I have come for advice." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "The vanishing of the lady."