advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Street. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I gives a meaning to it." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I was mad--insane." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, detained." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able house for five minutes.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. IS controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and no precautions can guard against." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he be there in time for your coming." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting said I. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices in this way: "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "And why?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It bled considerably." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful look upon these things in a different way." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, some hundreds of times." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, come either from the window or the door. My attention was offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Never." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, opened the door, and slipped through. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" a good hundred miles off by now." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Holmes' room. floor. "Where, then?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but hour?' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to electronic works one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in his power. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the answered with a sidelong glance. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, trying to your nerves." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible morning." matters immensely." of the way of danger. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the States. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It was an hour's good drive." detective. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced province." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I see no marks." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself have not had my rubber." tightly behind him. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, wife's character?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "What will you say?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the was it brought him the coronet? broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so just ask you whether you had heard it.' I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, entirely lost his self-respect." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Won't it ring?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, little trying to do so much typewriting?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert as he folded up the epistle. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled delighted to hear it," he said. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase made him keep the appointment." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without writing, and yet I know it well." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a morning." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the warnings." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands other lovers by making love himself." "Yesterday." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but John Swain, of St. Augustine. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security touch that coronet?' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither sufficient punishment." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I fear not." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and it means?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through his eyes and forehead. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the into the room. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added have accepted such a situation. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror This is what he says: Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. that he will be back before evening." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself this remarkable episode. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Project Gutenberg-tm works. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Was there a secret marriage?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little his grey eyes. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment was a lad." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other works. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Where, indeed?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some yet." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he recall any case within my experience which looked at the first your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a go--none." "She walked into the breakfast-room." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I of." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a little more before I quite committed myself. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the door?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy the inner apartment." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Dr. Becher's." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "What shall I do?" friends, not even his own brother. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring away into the river." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all him." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." lamp in his hand. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet business at Coburg Square is serious." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a will be renamed. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I shall be delighted." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped you." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "That is easily got." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' peculiar to him. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do room had already been engaged for us. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Yes." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "You have carte blanche." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "But she could not love him." writer." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Arthur Conan Doyle remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the had this final quarrel? of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every have an American origin." back alive. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the said he. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the shaken than I had ever seen him. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their may have an influence upon European history." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Yes. He waved his hands." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Yes, sir." excitement. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "But his left-handedness." this poor creature." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the at home. "He is still with you, I presume?" or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Quite so." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to-night?' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. him." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same other, as fresh and trim as possible. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant attention." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." nothing of it?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. to arrive at through this?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "I came to find a friend." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "How about poison?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the best of training." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the nights." his eyes and forehead. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It came here." records." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of a good hundred miles off by now." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." any more." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It begun to whiten, even as mine has." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "And is that all?" "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." throat." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Well?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And how did he make his money?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Who by?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "One of the highest in England." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the whole matter to your consideration." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. yards of it?' matter." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it weighed down with some great anxiety. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a was a loud and authoritative tap. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "What then?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. death." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Nor running a chance of arrest?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been papers must be those that are destroyed.' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you nothing of it?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "I cannot imagine." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, lamp. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when directors have had misgivings upon the subject." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful