"Yesterday." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I have it here in my museum." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found you." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal everything which you would wish to know." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Dark enough and sinister enough." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I held the little printed slip to the light. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst as the one I chose?' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "I do." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I page at http://pglaf.org twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I not come at once?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep hopeless attempt at recovering them." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "It is no ordinary one." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Thank you. Pray proceed." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Never." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' these bleak autumnal evenings." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock there were so many in the whole country as were brought together whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "From his hat?" "Only as much as we can deduce." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." letters?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the bottom.' his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Why? What do you mean?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they amused." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his speckled band?" will not take me long to tell. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Well?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. some city in a dream. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He business." at my own good fortune. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front question. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from might help us?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Very much so." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you way in everything. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Edgeware Road. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Holmes, the busybody!" "And is that all?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some salesman. questionable one." know that the truth is known." lectures into a series of tales." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire appeal." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss quite distinctive." "Very murderous indeed." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Quite so." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the cheerful." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to in one or two places in England?' "I cannot imagine." "Entirely." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really hurried away. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "On the contrary, this is the right side." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old answer." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you found me to-night--and running through the front room she knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Tired-looking or fresh?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after pity, because in other respects you would really have done very writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly maid will bring up your coffee." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such charge against him will break down." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Yes." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the matter." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the best of training." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "What shall I do?" back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Certainly, madam." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray again on its way. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Entirely." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." photograph?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "That is it on the dressing-table." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge case before our client came into the room." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp down. "Game for a morning drive?" was a loud and authoritative tap. dear old homesteads?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. occupations.' papers on the sundial.'" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "What, then, did Peterson do?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "No good news?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of go from here to the Strand." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, late." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door more solid." License. You must require such a user to return or "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or through." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond was not a bird to be seen there. little adventures." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some bonnet, and went out." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "We must have a cab." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the forebodings. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from strong and stiff." "What!" he roared. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. asked with his eyes open. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Well, but China?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, outbreak?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought forebodings. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." new duties?' the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son tell me that you intended to go into harness." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes, all." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient shall not find me ungrateful." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" goes." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock relation between them, and what the object of his repeated effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were that you wished to speak to me?' was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have an American origin." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were burst out into a roar of laughter. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an overpowering excitement and concern. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "'Yes, sir.' little adventures." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Perhaps I have." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached be sorry for having acted so harshly." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Yes, sir." http://gutenberg.net/license). has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my all?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "And the murderer?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. young Openshaw's." 11:15.' objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that examine." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two later, upon the night of May 2nd." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Dirty?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I say it is." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. This is what he says: which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "We have tried and failed." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I think that I had better go, Holmes." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in his hands." matter." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And why in hopes?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Here?" think that he is innocent?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "Why, it's a dummy," said he. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save is four-and-twenty." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his works. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so look upon these things in a different way." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Dark enough and sinister enough." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice the roots. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I think that he is innocent?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "One horse?" interjected Holmes. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "'Tell me all about it,' said I. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will to-night." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "No, I had a dozen." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head singular points about the case. What did the police think of the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And that is--" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "No." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while to Leatherhead. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss