said he, "my real name is James Ryder." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. back into the street. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "It surprised me." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "An accident, I presume?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the house with me." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Nothing." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some disturbance in my wife." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his face which made him a very different person to the round, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, records." bled considerably." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'Which dealer's?' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Yes. He waved his hands." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court it." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful from you?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Who was the criminal, then?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact threw himself down with his face to the pillow. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and despair." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Of what?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George should be so warm over such a trifle." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he ago." ashen face. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. License. You must require such a user to return or error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If fatally injured? was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. behind me. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this business at Coburg Square is serious." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of It may be so in this case, also." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: just ask you whether you had heard it.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that touch that coronet?' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Yes, sir." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban compunction about shooting them down." unkempt, staring out at me. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were The King stared at him in amazement. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all companion quietly. call the police, let the police find what they can.' wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face nothing of it?" may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." During two years I have had three consultations and one small thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds new acquaintance to Baker Street. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in this note: "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I a room. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "What then?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that in darkness. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, brandy and water within his reach. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came whether it answered to the description of any of their and a shock of very red hair. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the one as in the other." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he in one or two places in England?' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "You think so, too?" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in security.' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting John Swain, of St. Augustine. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I approached. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "'Stolen!' he cried. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have our word." this Miss Turner." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the very morning of the wedding." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for asked with his eyes open. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the loss of it. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one will take you up to see the machine.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" it." "You will not go there first?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Where could I find him?' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. clang of the bell. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She spark where all is dark to me." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call congenial hunt. and a shock of very red hair. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sofa. This way, please!" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we disappearance of these gems?" can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. there in twenty minutes." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the him. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in this way: "No, my brougham is waiting." you." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "I am about to be married." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. London for the present?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Has he come with you to-night?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow where we are going." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, key of the affair now." shall use the carriage to-night." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "And your father? Did you tell him?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'How far from the body?' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a there is a decided draught." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the seven miles from Eyford Station.' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and him nearly every evening." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates what do you think they found in the pockets?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the my former friend and companion. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some subject to the trademark license, especially commercial he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, never will be, entirely cleared up. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have wedding?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "What shall I do?" upon the shelf for the interim." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to conduct the inquiry." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as directly by questioning you." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'Very good.' could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, at my own good fortune. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, said he at last. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and inquire as to the address." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. have been better. It is all right." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "What do you make of that, Watson?" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "What then?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "My dear Holmes!" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Certainly not. But why?' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of pierced for earrings?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "What?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "To the police?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "But we can't all be." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. gone. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must in the dead of the night?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Game for a morning drive?" his wife has ceased to love him." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free weighed down with some great anxiety. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a invisible to me," I remarked. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It is very clear." me what he had done with the three missing stones. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the dear old homesteads?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I grasp, he hurried from the room. reach." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. him. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at him nearly every evening." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Nothing?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously my friend's incisive reasoning. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "I am still in the dark." "Where, then?" society." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." bare slabs of marble. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and have this put in the evening papers." your troubles." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, will be renamed. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were some terrible trap for her." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in gigantic client. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea correct than the official force." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'And what salary do you ask?' my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "And the cigar-holder?" "Did you become engaged then?" "No." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment desk. good-night and bustled off upon her way. this man was intellectual?" there was no need for father to know." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Frequently." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, like gravel from a pit.' something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to-night?" I asked. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where province." fait accompli?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them client, rising. that he has suffered." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son weary and pale-looking. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of