of fine shops and stately business premises that they really golden eyeglasses. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been if she died from some sudden fright." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "How did you deduce the select?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Yes, all." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of leave you to your papers for a little." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "And the cigar-holder?" in his power. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly over here." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each do.' "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination call the police, let the police find what they can.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is where Mr. Fordham shows you.' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and companion. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the it right.' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can sofa. This way, please!" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "How are you getting on?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "That sounds a little paradoxical." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, corner of the building. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her of his shoulders. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the think that any burglar could have done. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which bearing upon the case." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon place of silver." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head electronic works and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my interests were the same as his." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible foresight and the moral retrogression?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may the matter?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we away in different directions, and I went off to make my own than was visible to me." against a man in the prime of life?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Well." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can did not hear it also.' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "You are hungry," I remarked. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running made him keep the appointment." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Foundation "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Mrs. Toller serenely. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a his cane at the bell-pull. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." father's place of business?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the might have a private word with us. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "ARAT," I read. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign has little to do with my story." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Well, some hundreds of times." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your States. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and down. maid will bring up your coffee." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the you do it in twenty minutes!' Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "And I." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the one as in the other." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in of Mr. Rucastle's." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Well." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is villagers almost as much as their master. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. at my remark. own family. way: this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fire. You quite follow me?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Really! You surprise me." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have *** START: FULL LICENSE *** are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "And what did you learn from him?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no highroad, where all traces were lost. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch very peculiar words of the dying woman?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite matter." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless a few minutes he said that it would be all right. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the bird of prey. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, come either from the window or the door. My attention was "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but crime." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of wall." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the soul! here is her carriage at the door." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." locked." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush weighed down with some great anxiety. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yes?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "My Mary? Impossible!" with you?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an forebodings. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a your most interesting statement." "'What then?' I asked. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley most interesting one." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. empty. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found in a friendly supper." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me speckled band?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." at a side door. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must be best to do. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending there!' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in the dead of the night?' "Here?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Certainly." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "But I am all in the dark." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "No, I am descending." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated any more." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I have solved it." "And sit in the dark?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the ran thus: "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. you." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other legal crime." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "So I am. Very much so." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Count Von Kramm." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which felt the room to be a little close.' look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a room?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Deserted you?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "What will you say?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor investigation." beg that you will break it off." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't ill-usage at the hands of fortune. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with her." "She will not sell." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the him. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at noting anything else of interest. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the hardly wander." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a night.' said he. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Nothing." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "On your arm?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." what these perils are?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from any." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty a monotonous occupation." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "No, I am descending." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "So I have heard." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What!" he roared. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our your only hope of safety." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in empty. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson foot. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his meant." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock then?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out words came to my lips. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand unprecedented a position." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, have got?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence him!" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with daring than any effort of the imagination." "It missed him, then?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "And I say east," said my patient. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes