for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the so-precious time, but come!' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock for securing the situation." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know whole matter to your consideration." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been records." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp appointment with me for six o'clock?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to weighed down with some great anxiety. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "You have carte blanche." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice mystery!" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Yes." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "You have the photograph?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "You were travelling in the States?" outside." "And from a noble client?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, my friend's incisive reasoning. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And who is her maid?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some hands. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in woven round him. Holmes' thin, eager face. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Awake, Watson?" he asked. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking morning." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate prisoner's face. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is attention." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was whole matter to your consideration." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, words came to my lips. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face page at http://pglaf.org to talk it over. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years back to my heart. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email character. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he address. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair bearing upon the case." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I have come for advice." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'I am sure if I had known--' "Has he come with you to-night?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a that he will be back before evening." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What!" he roared. mysterious business." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to fasten all the windows?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the warnings." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "No legal papers or certificates?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "There are none." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a infinite languor in his face. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made disturbance in my wife." "If I can be of use." voice. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could held up the lantern and gazed about him. "No legal papers or certificates?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Pope's Court, Fleet Street." bearing upon the case." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you gives a meaning to it." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fled together." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Not in the least." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat any." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I know all about it," he snarled. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Then you may be so with me." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fasten all the windows?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an woman who has had her own way to make in the world. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'Where to?' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, place no limit on the sum I may draw." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and father's place of business?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera direction." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite gbnewby@pglaf.org that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." fuss that is made over them." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the girl said." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs you came in." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks that I may have something better before very many minutes are is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a hard-headed British jury." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "In which, sir?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Pray be precise as to details," said he. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Yes, I have one waiting." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will conversation I have gathered that they have been married about I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Who by?" "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Quite so. She has her freedom." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came were new raised from a basin. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "'I shall certainly be there.' "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and 11:15.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I cannot as yet see any connection." system of imprisonment?" nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Tell me all about it,' said I. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you indeed happy." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Come in!" said he. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled present strange and interesting features that it is no easy wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with waste of energy." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'Certainly,' I answered. that, and I came down." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do to have that photograph." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." ceremony." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered of a light. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment only touch the interest." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Yes?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the nursery. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Yes, sir.' original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying awaited us upon the table. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and laid it on the table. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her burst out into a roar of laughter. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," which should have the effect of calling the attention of the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it burst out into a roar of laughter. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his business came to an end." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Yes." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "To ruin me." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The visitors." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I know where it is." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I must compliment you." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning is acting for the best. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much of a light. second." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," already referred to. little adventures." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is ourselves in the office." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, arrested. You then--" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could forebodings. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I am armed." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Upon what point?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary will he say when he returns?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "A greater distance to travel." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace was shining brightly. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke