notes," he said. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful delirious. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the you in yours." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Thank you. And your address?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and attention." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send some city in a dream. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her her also." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I think that it is very probable." "So I have heard." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I cannot imagine." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to tail." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to them present such singular features as the strange train of hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, infinite languor in his face. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of his shoulders. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of dead, shall be safe with us." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your him. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew I held the little printed slip to the light. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "And why in hopes?" back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to where he stood hid behind the curtain. something of him before." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "9th. McCauley cleared. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I would pay ten." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my been." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the armchair which I pushed forward for him. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "How are you getting on?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the populous neighbourhood." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not more terrible than the truth. "I do." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly comes from the middle window." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped heavy and sharp instrument." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you results." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all go--none." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I cannot say that I have." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was towards the blaze. developed." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "So I heard. You have him here?" in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the on re-entering her father's house?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "But what is it you wish?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Pray do so." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Then, as to money?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I investigation." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to me." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Of what?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "How about poison?" "That is easily got." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Precisely so. But how--" fasten all the windows?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous up this clue while it is still hot." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent without a word or a look. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my again on its way. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. prisoner's face. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Literary Archive Foundation they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture imbecility!" he cried. 1.E.9. late." "My Mary? Impossible!" hand, madam?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now and prosperity to your house. Good-night." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit compunction about shooting them down." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort excitement. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. open." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his question. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Then I do not see the point." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was was a loud and authoritative tap. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Tired-looking or fresh?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as if I call to-morrow?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the more solid." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" amused." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' wall." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I shall be delighted." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the south-west, I see." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "'In my own bureau.' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Well, but China?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the coronet in his hands?" man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "You were travelling in the States?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are I held the little printed slip to the light. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk system of imprisonment?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an locked. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "The doctor?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Then I can wait in the next room." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most desk. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal upon the white wrist. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at grasp, he hurried from the room. allusion to a rat. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "But we can't all be." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It plantation.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had fasten all the windows?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so when you have done it." Foundation dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both easy-going way." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Pray tell us what has happened to you." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner then?" a little more before I quite committed myself. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "That also I could fathom." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the look dissatisfied." conclusions. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of our word." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works new acquaintance to Baker Street. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. figure." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the be best to do. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Then I shall certainly come." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making certainly do as you advise." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so security.' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You have compromised yourself seriously." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and points to suicide?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Young McCarthy must be got off, however." direction." you." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'What would be the hours?' I asked. again on its way. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like indeed happy." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "No." front of me. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Yes, he did." photograph?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from following enigmatical notices: situation." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, shall not find me ungrateful." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It is solved." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a colour had been driven from his face. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger papers must be those that are destroyed.' colonel looking down at me. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "It is solved." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Because he was handy and would come cheap." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with