Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did business?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Yes." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It is solved." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the stable lane now." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Not in a good cause." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "He said that you could solve anything." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." observed. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. feature." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not families. Now for the facts. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Then I am your man." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Street. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my behind me. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the stones. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "One of the highest in England." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his of Mr. Rucastle's." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias conduct the inquiry." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and appointment with me for six o'clock?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" whole matter to your consideration." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination him to be an active member of the medical profession." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from as this. Pray let me have the details." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful as yours." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Yes." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Yes, it would be as well." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in new duties?' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Nothing?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I kindly on the shoulder. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, existence." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it closely." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train bedroom door." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I think it very unlikely." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who prison!" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! your troubles." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their roused himself from his reverie. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "By train from Waterloo." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Get out!" said he. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the matter?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much morning." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the even of instruction." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a me. You must get home instantly and act." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. me. You must get home instantly and act." if I call to-morrow?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in of receipt of the work. "And help." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who at a side door. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "What will you do, then?" hurried by. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it must compliment you." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Breckinridge is his name." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders unclasping of his long thin hands. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I see many objections to any such theory." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "It missed him, then?" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Why did you beat the pavement?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, papers on the sundial.'" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and quick march!" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'Most admirably.' "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was where we are going." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been away to you." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well delirious. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are society." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very more terrible than the truth. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Not yet." looking up at the numbers of the houses." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would bird of prey. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Serpentine Avenue. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your it." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a keep the flames under. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I answered that I had not. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes rather sternly. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Where does the thing come from?' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might appeal." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." my little problems." "How did you deduce the select?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three clanging. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was him." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself strange features which were associated with the two crimes which excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." married her." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'A dozen yards or so.' that I can to serve you." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "In the cells." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that own family. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his man. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water directly by questioning you." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Certainly not. But why?' freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest gives a meaning to it." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you read over the extraordinary announcement. "It was." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round burst out into a roar of laughter. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. very morning of my second wedding." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And it is--" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is himself in a perplexing position. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause fled together." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "It was." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had come either from the window or the door. My attention was to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the salesman. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the of Fenchurch Street." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You have but to name it." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And you for a few hours?" opened the door, and slipped through. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any who was a member of your goose club." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past of your young ladies.' looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. noble correspondent could be. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'And the work?' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "One of his hands." what these perils are?" morning." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The little trying to do so much typewriting?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Has he come with you to-night?" But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'Yes.' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then this truth that in these little records of our cases which you The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. wife's character?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "The best possible." of campaign. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "What shall I do?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Oh, yes, easily." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I guessed as much." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and me what he had done with the three missing stones. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with following enigmatical notices: companion imperturbably. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know never came back." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your cheerful." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" one else, I think." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, strength in the others." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a voice. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Ten will be early enough." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than train.' Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" in my life." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his telegram would bring me down to your help." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the certainly not very gracious." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the very letters. But what is this written above them?' such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And that is--" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. 1.F. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms never will be, entirely cleared up. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more country, and eventually married, without anyone having a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Then he might have called to you?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave you." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for his face which made him a very different person to the round, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah behind me. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. had formerly been in part my own. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly answered with a sidelong glance. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were deduce something from that?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" union?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I am still in the dark." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us persecution?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but