red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, annoyance, but no jest. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "It is his hat." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you right! Sit down and let us talk it over." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." key of the affair now." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he to you." throat." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "An accident, I presume?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my rose-bushes. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is http://www.gutenberg.net murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the house with me." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they lost nothing by them." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, there are nearly always some there." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I don't believe it." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Very much so." "No." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you." of his shoulders. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very soul! here is her carriage at the door." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. forbidden door. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "No." "So I have heard." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and client, rising. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her very morning of my second wedding." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Nothing?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. mystery may be cleared along those lines." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "And who is her maid?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "What office?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "And how did he make his money?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and go from here to the Strand." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I have a cab outside." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than burst out into a roar of laughter. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness case-book, which he consulted. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the certainly do as you advise." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have looking up at the numbers of the houses." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the interests were the same as his." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some know all about it," he snarled. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault for securing the situation." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from carried out of court." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you outside. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police beg that you will break it off." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for bird of prey. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Yes, sir." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. hard-headed British jury." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the not personally threatened." were new raised from a basin. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Ten will be early enough." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had his huge brown hands. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Ample." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'Yes, I promise.' "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "That is not always so easy." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "What!" he roared. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by interested in these little problems, and since you are good lectures into a series of tales." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an words came to my lips. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that enter into my head. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, bled considerably." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "What!" he roared. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." upon an income of about 60 pounds." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the hardly wander." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and your most interesting statement." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining unprofitable." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for asked. mysterious end." to-morrow." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, money should be paid at once.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not ashen face. awaited us upon the table. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to astonishment. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "What?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak to tackle the facts." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a sofa. This way, please!" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was should be taken.' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards once more on the important position which you have been fortunate pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Yes, at the mines." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down enough to aid us in our search." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I cannot imagine." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Perfectly so." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I do." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Oh, fresh and glossy." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Serpentine Avenue. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have to surprise her." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been such attractions and accomplishments?' drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for dead, shall be safe with us." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the his grey eyes. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a will not take me long to tell. "One?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Holmes rather sternly. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." woven round him. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Then what has happened to him?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'You cannot say what it was?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. may never be exposed to such a temptation." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The murder was done with it." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." happened." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor you in yours." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "'About the same.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Then I do not see the point." sneer upon his pale face. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" one else, I think." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in During two years I have had three consultations and one small records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "There is the writing." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence possible that we could bring him back to her? the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'Oh, no.' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight noise which awoke you from your sleep?" gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" used to be." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing second." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'Where to?' more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong the Friday. Was it to be in church?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause of them has the shutters up.' safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the room while you explain this matter?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" house for five minutes.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "And when will you call?" did not hear it also.' to surprise her." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting woven round him. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting there when the Rucastles went away." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Arthur Conan Doyle salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Yes, from Horsham." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what McCarthy." attention." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Yes, it would be as well." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will enough to aid us in our search."